Anti-Semitism Unit 1

Important Definitions Genocide: attempt to eliminate an entire group of people Genocide: attempt to eliminate an entire group of people Usually orchestrated by government Usually orchestrated by government The Holocaust: Murder of approximately 6 million Jews (and approx. 6 million others) by Nazis during World War II The Holocaust: Murder of approximately 6 million Jews (and approx. 6 million others) by Nazis during World War II

Important Definitions Anti-Semitism: prejudice against or hatred of Jews Anti-Semitism: prejudice against or hatred of Jews Term was coined in late-1800’s Term was coined in late-1800’s Anti-Semitism has been common throughout history Anti-Semitism has been common throughout history Pogrom: attacks against the Jewish community Pogrom: attacks against the Jewish community Stereotype: assumption that all members of a group all share a certain characteristic Stereotype: assumption that all members of a group all share a certain characteristic Oversimplification of facts about a certain group of people Oversimplification of facts about a certain group of people Often the result of ignorance Often the result of ignorance

Judaism World’s oldest monotheistic faith World’s oldest monotheistic faith Belief in one God Belief in one God Torah= holy scripture for Jews Torah= holy scripture for Jews Saturday= Sabbath Saturday= Sabbath Synagogue= Jewish house of worship Synagogue= Jewish house of worship Judaism influenced the development of Christianity and Islam Judaism influenced the development of Christianity and Islam

Anti-Semitism Jews have long been subject to discrimination Jews have long been subject to discrimination Christians were taught that Jews were responsible for the death of Christ Christians were taught that Jews were responsible for the death of Christ Other stereotypes and misconceptions about Jews developed throughout the Middle Ages Other stereotypes and misconceptions about Jews developed throughout the Middle Ages

Anti-Semitism Ignorance fueled distrust and dislike of Jews Ignorance fueled distrust and dislike of Jews Common Stereotypes: Common Stereotypes: Greed: Jews practiced usury, which earned them a reputation for being greedy Greed: Jews practiced usury, which earned them a reputation for being greedy Lazy: Jews were forbidden from owning land and joining guilds, which led to the misconception that they were too lazy to farm or perform physical labor Lazy: Jews were forbidden from owning land and joining guilds, which led to the misconception that they were too lazy to farm or perform physical labor

Anti-Semitism Common Stereotypes: Common Stereotypes: Cowards: Jews were restricted in terms of military service, which led others to believe that they were too cowardly to go to war Cowards: Jews were restricted in terms of military service, which led others to believe that they were too cowardly to go to war Disloyal: placing loyalty to their culture above loyalty caused others in the country distrust them Disloyal: placing loyalty to their culture above loyalty caused others in the country distrust them

Jews in European History Restrictions placed on Jews turned them into outsiders Restrictions placed on Jews turned them into outsiders Often became the scapegoat for catastrophic events Often became the scapegoat for catastrophic events Black Death Black Death Stories of Blood Libel also emerged in the Middle Ages Stories of Blood Libel also emerged in the Middle Ages Belief that Jews used the blood of Christian children for rituals Belief that Jews used the blood of Christian children for rituals

Jews in European History Jewish economic life: Jewish economic life: Forbidden work in many professions Forbidden work in many professions Heavily taxed Heavily taxed Were allowed to work in business and commerce Were allowed to work in business and commerce Bankers, merchants Bankers, merchants Also focused on academics and specialized professions Also focused on academics and specialized professions Law, medicine, sciences, etc. Law, medicine, sciences, etc. Often invested in portable items and skills they could take with them Often invested in portable items and skills they could take with them Easy to move if expelled from country Easy to move if expelled from country

Jews in European History Distrust of Jews common in Christian Europe Distrust of Jews common in Christian Europe Many nations even expel the Jews Many nations even expel the Jews 1290: England 1290: England 1306: France 1306: France 1492: Spain 1492: Spain 1497: Portugal 1497: Portugal

Jews in European History Following the expulsion, many Jews moved into Eastern Europe Following the expulsion, many Jews moved into Eastern Europe Less complex government= less restrictions Less complex government= less restrictions Formed communities Formed communities known as Shtetle known as Shtetle

Jews in European History The Enlightenment provided Jews with new opportunities The Enlightenment provided Jews with new opportunities Nations allowed Jews back into their countries Nations allowed Jews back into their countries Some even granted new rights and freedoms Some even granted new rights and freedoms 1781: Austria abolished extra taxes on Jews 1781: Austria abolished extra taxes on Jews 1782: Austria allows Jewish children to attend school with Christian children 1782: Austria allows Jewish children to attend school with Christian children 1787: Austria allowed Jews to join the military 1787: Austria allowed Jews to join the military

Jews in European History Napoleonic Code: Napoleonic Code: Jews given more rights and freedom in Napoleon’s empire Jews given more rights and freedom in Napoleon’s empire Equal access to all aspects of economy and professions Equal access to all aspects of economy and professions Equal rights Equal rights Integrated Jews in to the rest of the society Integrated Jews in to the rest of the society

Jews in European History The rise of Nationalism in the late-1800’s caused Anti-Semitism to become popular once again.

Nationalism Nationalism: intense pride and devotion to one’s country OR group of people Nationalism: intense pride and devotion to one’s country OR group of people Became popular in the late-1800’s Became popular in the late-1800’s Fueled by Imperialism Fueled by Imperialism Ethnic and cultural differences begin to cause conflict Ethnic and cultural differences begin to cause conflict

Nationalism and Anti-Semitism Jews begin to be seen as an ethnic and/or racial group, not just a religious group Jews begin to be seen as an ethnic and/or racial group, not just a religious group Discrimination against Jews begins again Discrimination against Jews begins again Jews blamed for economic problems Jews blamed for economic problems Anti-Semitic political parties become popular Anti-Semitic political parties become popular Politicians make their careers through Anti- Semitism Politicians make their careers through Anti- Semitism Karl Luger- role model for Hitler Karl Luger- role model for Hitler

Anti-Semitism in Russia Pogroms become common in Russia and Eastern Europe Pogroms become common in Russia and Eastern Europe 1880’s- police stand by as Jewish property is looted and destroyed 1880’s- police stand by as Jewish property is looted and destroyed Tens of thousands killed Tens of thousands killed Russian government restricts Jews from schools and professional occupations Russian government restricts Jews from schools and professional occupations Jews forced to leave Moscow in Jews forced to leave Moscow in

Social Darwinism Social Darwinism: practice of applying Darwin’s theories to society Social Darwinism: practice of applying Darwin’s theories to society Survival of the fittest Survival of the fittest Some human groups more “fit” than others Some human groups more “fit” than others Used to explain the mistreatment or subjugation of certain groups Used to explain the mistreatment or subjugation of certain groups

Jews in Europe As violence increased, many Jews fled Europe As violence increased, many Jews fled Europe Thousands came to the U.S. Thousands came to the U.S. 1880: there were 85,000 Jews in NYC alone 1880: there were 85,000 Jews in NYC alone Others attempt to flee to Palestine Others attempt to flee to Palestine Movement known as Zionism develops Movement known as Zionism develops Zionism taught that Jews needed their own state and should create a nation around Jerusalem Zionism taught that Jews needed their own state and should create a nation around Jerusalem

Jews in European History By the early 1900’s, Anti-Semitism was part of the culture of many European nations By the early 1900’s, Anti-Semitism was part of the culture of many European nations