1. Anti-Semitism & Zionism in Europe © 2011Clairmont Press

2. Anti-Semitism & Zionism Anti-Semitism Anti-Semitism was common in European history; various European groups had persecuted Jews for many centuries, especially in Germania and Italy.Anti-Semitism was common in European history; various European groups had persecuted Jews for many centuries, especially in Germania and Italy. During the Middle Ages, Jews were often accused of human sacrifice of Christian children, murders, and often blamed for plagues. Adolf Hitler and Nazi supporters were admitted anti-Semites and blamed Jews for the loss of German lands and the destruction of Germany following World War I.Adolf Hitler and Nazi supporters were admitted anti-Semites and blamed Jews for the loss of German lands and the destruction of Germany following World War I. Germans were desperate and seeking to blame someone for their troubles, the Jews were their main target.Germans were desperate and seeking to blame someone for their troubles, the Jews were their main target. Most Jews in Germany were prominent citizens and enjoyed strong democratic power.Most Jews in Germany were prominent citizens and enjoyed strong democratic power. Hitler believed that the Jews were diminishing the mythical Aryan genes of true blood Germans and were working with the West to secretly destroy Germans.Hitler believed that the Jews were diminishing the mythical Aryan genes of true blood Germans and were working with the West to secretly destroy Germans. Many famous scholars, including Karl Marx, openly criticized Jews. “The Jewish Question” had been brought up in England, France, Germany, Italy, and other European countries long before Hitler.Many famous scholars, including Karl Marx, openly criticized Jews. “The Jewish Question” had been brought up in England, France, Germany, Italy, and other European countries long before Hitler. Many Europeans wanted the Jews to leave their cities. The Holocaust was the apex of anti- Semitism in Europe. It was Hitler’s answer to the “Jewish Question.”Many Europeans wanted the Jews to leave their cities. The Holocaust was the apex of anti- Semitism in Europe. It was Hitler’s answer to the “Jewish Question.”

3. Anti-Semitism & Zionism Zionism Zionism is the belief that the world’s Jews should return to the Holy Lands in Israel called Zion.Zionism is the belief that the world’s Jews should return to the Holy Lands in Israel called Zion. As anti-Semitism grew in Europe, Zionism grew.As anti-Semitism grew in Europe, Zionism grew. Zionism was a direct response to anti-Semitism and gained ground with political leaders in Europe, especially after World War I.Zionism was a direct response to anti-Semitism and gained ground with political leaders in Europe, especially after World War I. The Zionists sought the creation of a Jewish state in what they viewed as their homeland.The Zionists sought the creation of a Jewish state in what they viewed as their homeland. The problem was that Muslims opposed the influx of Jews into the land of Zion, which they called Palestine.The problem was that Muslims opposed the influx of Jews into the land of Zion, which they called Palestine. World War I created an opportunity because the Ottoman Empire lost and England took control of Palestine.World War I created an opportunity because the Ottoman Empire lost and England took control of Palestine. From 1920-1948, many Zionists campaigned for the Holy Lands of Israel to become a Jewish state.From 1920-1948, many Zionists campaigned for the Holy Lands of Israel to become a Jewish state.

4. Anti-Semitism The growth of anti-Semitism in Europe reached a climax under the reign of Adolf Hitler. The Nazis planned a systematic elimination of the Jews in concentration camps; this became known as the Holocaust. During this time period, about six million Jews were killed, nearly two- thirds of all Jews living in Europe. The growth of anti-Semitism in Europe reached a climax under the reign of Adolf Hitler. The Nazis planned a systematic elimination of the Jews in concentration camps; this became known as the Holocaust. During this time period, about six million Jews were killed, nearly two- thirds of all Jews living in Europe. This had great consequences for the survivors as well. The family and social aspects of their lives were decimated, their economic well-being was impossible to predict, and many of them were homeless. Their homes, possessions, and jobs had been stripped from them during the Holocaust. European leaders faced a tremendous challenge in helping the Holocaust survivors. This had great consequences for the survivors as well. The family and social aspects of their lives were decimated, their economic well-being was impossible to predict, and many of them were homeless. Their homes, possessions, and jobs had been stripped from them during the Holocaust. European leaders faced a tremendous challenge in helping the Holocaust survivors. The growth of anti-Semitism in Europe reached a climax under the reign of Adolf Hitler. The Nazis planned a systematic elimination of the Jews in concentration camps; this became known as the Holocaust. During this time period, about six million Jews were killed, nearly two- thirds of all Jews living in Europe. The growth of anti-Semitism in Europe reached a climax under the reign of Adolf Hitler. The Nazis planned a systematic elimination of the Jews in concentration camps; this became known as the Holocaust. During this time period, about six million Jews were killed, nearly two- thirds of all Jews living in Europe. This had great consequences for the survivors as well. The family and social aspects of their lives were decimated, their economic well-being was impossible to predict, and many of them were homeless. Their homes, possessions, and jobs had been stripped from them during the Holocaust. European leaders faced a tremendous challenge in helping the Holocaust survivors. This had great consequences for the survivors as well. The family and social aspects of their lives were decimated, their economic well-being was impossible to predict, and many of them were homeless. Their homes, possessions, and jobs had been stripped from them during the Holocaust. European leaders faced a tremendous challenge in helping the Holocaust survivors. Prisoners in the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp in Germany (1940-1945)

5. Zionism Zionism was the Jewish political movement that supported the creation of the Jewish state in the Holy Lands of Palestine. The Zionists believed that the Jews should be self-determined instead of the subject of anti-Semitic government practices that were rising in Germany. Zionism was the Jewish political movement that supported the creation of the Jewish state in the Holy Lands of Palestine. The Zionists believed that the Jews should be self-determined instead of the subject of anti-Semitic government practices that were rising in Germany. After the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, Zionism became a rallying cry for support of the Israeli state in the west. This movement continues today and is very influential in the United States, Great Britain, and France, amongst other nations. After the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, Zionism became a rallying cry for support of the Israeli state in the west. This movement continues today and is very influential in the United States, Great Britain, and France, amongst other nations. Zionism was the Jewish political movement that supported the creation of the Jewish state in the Holy Lands of Palestine. The Zionists believed that the Jews should be self-determined instead of the subject of anti-Semitic government practices that were rising in Germany. Zionism was the Jewish political movement that supported the creation of the Jewish state in the Holy Lands of Palestine. The Zionists believed that the Jews should be self-determined instead of the subject of anti-Semitic government practices that were rising in Germany. After the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, Zionism became a rallying cry for support of the Israeli state in the west. This movement continues today and is very influential in the United States, Great Britain, and France, amongst other nations. After the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, Zionism became a rallying cry for support of the Israeli state in the west. This movement continues today and is very influential in the United States, Great Britain, and France, amongst other nations. The flag of Israel flies over an Independence Day air show in Tel Aviv