A Brief History of Europe’s Jews

1. A Brief History of Europe’s Jews

2. Hebrews are a Semitic (non-European)People

3. Conquered by Romans • Time period of Jesus • Jews were expelled from Israel after an anti-Roman uprising

4. Diaspora • Jews become minorities in countries all over Europe and Russia • As non-Christians and minorities, they are often treated poorly • Kicked out of many countries- Spain (reconquista), England but later allowed back in, France, etc.

6. Jews developed a culture that has its foundation in their precarious position • Sometimes Europeans kings would expel them from the country just because they wanted their wealth • Jews thus focus on a highly portable asset -- education • Doctors, lawyers, etc.

7. Prejudice and Scapegoating • Jews Were Relatively Successful/Wealthy in Many European Nations • Educated • Concentrated in cities • Moneylenders • Irony of anti-Jewish ‘money-grubbing’ stereotype? • Persecuted/scapegoated • Killers of Christ • Better off than me… why? • Economic depressions often cause hatred of money-lenders (why?) • In the Middle Ages, during the Black Plague, were massacred for ‘poisoning the wells’ since they seemed to die at a slower rate than other Europeans • Kosher cleanliness rituals? • Lack of contact with other Europeans? • Pogroms

8. Attempts to Stop the Plague Pogramsagainst the Jews “Golden Circle” obligatory badge “Jew” hat

9. Ghetto System • Europeans don’t want the Jews around, and yet… • …according to some biblical interpretations, the Jews must be present on the Day of Judgment… • they will be given a choice of whether to convert/repent or burn in hell • So you can’t get rid of them or you ruin the second coming of Christ • However, you don’t want them around, so… • Don’t get rid of them, just separate them

11. Napoleon Releases Many Jews From European Ghettoes • This was part of his genuinely liberal policy • Once Napoleon was gone, there was an uneasy tension between Jews and Gentiles in European cities

12. Do we see how New Nationalism becomes extremely important to this story? • Social Darwinism • Certain races are superior • Not surprising that the majority group feels they are that race • ‘We-they’ outlook • Scapegoats • Use of Jews to whip up Bismarck style nationalism • If you can become popular starting wars against foreigners, you can probably do the same by persecuting the Jews

13. Do we cry for this guy? Social Darwinism • Darwin’s ideas Boo! Yay! VS Survival of the Fittest among animal species

14. Darwin’s Ideas Were New and Earth-shattering in the late 19th Century • How did Social Darwinists use these ideas? • Darwin’s ideas applied to human society • Do we cry for the loser? Why? Why not? • Justification

15. The Dreyfus Affair • In 1894 a list of French military documents were found in the waste basket of the German Embassy in Paris. • French counter-intelligence suspected Captain Alfred Dreyfus,  he was one of the few Jews on the General Staff.

16. The Dreyfus Affair • Dreyfus was tried, convicted of treason despite very little evidence, and sent to Devil’s Island in French Guiana. • The real culprit was a Major Esterhazy, whose handwriting was the same as that on the bordereau. • The government tried him and found him not guilty in two days.

17. The Dreyfus Affair • A famous author, Emile Zola, published an open letter called J’Accuse! • He accused the army of a mistrial and cover-up. • The government prosecuted him for libel. • Found him guilty  sentenced to a year in prison.

18. J’Accuse!

19. The Dreyfus Affair Anti-Dreyfusards Dreyfusards • Public opinion was divided  it reflected the divisions in Fr. society. • The Dreyfusards were anti-clericals, intellectuals, free masons, & socialists. • For Anti-Dreyfusards, the honor of the army was more important than Dreyfus’ guilt or innocence. • Were army supporters, monarchists, & Catholics.

20. Dreyfus, the Traitor!

21. Dreyfus Affair • In 1905, Dreyfus was finally given a new trial and exonerated

22. The Zionist Movement • Was motivated by the Dreyfus trial to write the book, Der Judenstaat, orThe Jewish Statein 1896. • Creates the First Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland. • “Father of Modern Zionism.” Theodore Herzl[1860-1904]