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
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