History of Anti-Semitism

History of the Holocaust

History of Anti-Semitism

Cultural differences made the Jews standout Only monotheistic

religion Refusal to accept

dominant religion

Labeled by the Romans as “stubborn,” “clannish,” and “hostile”

History of Anti-Semitism

As Roman pressure on the Jews mounted, some urged rebellion—while others (like Jesus) suggested a reforming of ways

30 CE –Jesus is killed, disciples separated themselves from Judaism

Christian-anti-Judaism grows as Christians are made up of more gentiles (non-Jews) than former Jews

70 CE– Jewish Diaspora (forced exile) from Jerusalem after failed revolt against Rome

History of Anti-Semitism

325 CE - Christianity becomes official religion of the Roman Empire. Jews negatively portrayed. Refused to convert to Christianity despite

insistence of Church

5th-7th Centuries - Violence escalates “contamination” laws Could not hold public office Or show themselves during Holy Week

Justinian Code 527-625 Forbade reading of Torah in Hebrew

History of Anti-Semitism

Middle Ages - Jews less than human, killed in the Crusades, demonized, blamed for Black Death

Renaissance/Reformation - Jews had to wear badges or cones on head, in Italy and Germany they were separated into ghettos

Council of Basel (1431-43) established ghettos, required to attend Christian services

Spanish Inquisition (1478-1765), 1492 expulsion from Spain

History of Anti-Semitism

Blood libel—the idea that Jews used the blood of Christian children for the Passover meal

Used as an excuse to attack Jewish communities

History of Anti-Semitism

Many occupations were closed to Jews Not allowed to own land, no farmers Trading guilds—not allowed to join

Money lending (banking) Was considered a sin by Christians Given jobs as tax collectors, Usury—charging interest for loans Caused deep hatred among peasants

History of Anti-Semitism

The Protestant Reformation Martin Luther called

Jews “poisonous, bitter worms”

Suggested they be forcibly converted or expelled from Germany

First their synagogues or churches should be set on fire…Secondly, their homes should likewise be broken down and destroyed…They ought to be put under one roof or in a stable, like gypsies…Thirdly, they should be deprived of their prayer books…Fourthly, their rabbis must be forbidden under threat of death to teach anymore…

Of Jews and Their Lies, Martin Luther

History of Anti-Semitism

Enlightenment (Age of Reason) 1700s Jews were allowed out of

the ghettos 1791 Jews got full

citizenship in France Although they gained

more rights—had a hard time joining “outside world,” spoke Yiddish

Instead of religion, “science” and “reason” found differences between Jews and non-Jews

History of Anti-Semitism

French diplomat Joseph Arthur Gobineau, father of “modern” racial thought Blamed decline of

civilization on interbreeding of superior and inferior racial groups

white race or Aryans, peoples speaking Indo-European languages

Race Replaces Religion

Word Anti-Semitism first appeared in 1873 in book Victory of Judaism over Germany by Wilhelm Marr Jews ought to be

eliminated because they were members of an alien race

Russia and France late 1800s

Pogroms, massacres of Jews, ordered by the czar Continued into 20th

century

Dreyfus Affair--France Dreyfus, the first

Jew appointed to general staff was accused of giving info to Germany

Pointed out level of anti-Semitism in France

1. Politicians

2. Old People

3. Teenagers

4. Harvard University Students

5. North Carolina State University Students

6. Professional Basketball Players

7. Professional Ballet Dancers

8. Welfare Recipients

9. Computer Programmers

10. Germans

11. New Yorkers

12. Southerners

13. Migrant Workers

14. Democrats

15. Republicans

Number piece of paper #1-15 and for group write your first reactions to the group. It can be positive or negative—but be honest! No one but you will see this list.

Pick two groups that you felt most strongly about. On the back of paper draw this chart. For each category, see what you hear from each—and where you might have gotten these ideas.

Source Group 1 Group 2

Personal Experiences/Direct Contacts

Conversations with Family

Conversations with Friends

Television

Books/Magazines

Movies