Anti-SemitismThroughout

History

Many people ask, “Why the Jews?” in regards to the

atrocities that surrounded the Holocaust. What was it about the Jewish populace that made Nazi Germany

want to persecute it?

Where it all began:Pagan Era (2000 BCE-CE)

A. Greeks / Romans (Middle East / Mediterranean)a. Polytheistic ideology however maintained

relative toleration for all religionsb. 1500 BCE- ancient Hebrews introduced the

theory of only one godi. Jews- believed they were chosen for a

missionii. Their belief insinuated that other religions

were wrongiii. This led to general unrest among their

polytheistic peers

B. Pompey- (Roman general)a. Had heard of the Jews while

stationed in Judea and was curious to see their temple

b. Wanted to see what their god looked like

c. No likeness of God allowed in the Jewish religion

d. Since he could not see the Jews’ god, Pompey believed that they were trying to trick him (After all, seeing is believing.).

C. Romansa. Tolerant of other religions but also wanted

conquered people to worship their gods (?)b. Jews- were not willing to worship the Roman

godsc. As a result, the Jewish temple was destroyed

not once, but twice. Roughly one million Jews died during the Great Revolt.

d. The era of Jewish homelessness dates from the destruction of the second temple under the

rule of Caligula.

D. The Exodus from Egypt (1313 B.C.E.) The story told in the Torah that describes the departure of the Hebrew people out of the Nile Valley through the Sinai until they reached Canaan (the Promised Land).

E. 922 B.C.E.- Israelites become known as Jews when the

Northern & Southern empires divided. The remaining Israelites took the title.

F. 826 B.C.E.- The Holy Temple was completed by King

Solomon, completing the idea of his father, King David. Later, Charlemagne granted equal rights to all citizens of his kingdom.

G. 587 B.C.E.- King Nebuchadnezzar’s forces strip and burn the new

Jewish temple in retribution for a revolt. This act of aggression is the impetus for the Jewish Diaspora from their homeland in Judea.

Early Christianity (100-500 C.E.) A. Jesus (27 C.E.)- crucified on charges of attempting to

usurp power from the government (aka- troublemaking)a. Gospel of Matthew- describes the events surrounding it. Pilate was deceived by the Jews

and killed Jesus.b. Who bears the responsibility for the crucifixion?c. “His blood be upon us and our children.” - Matthew

25:27d. Christians begin to use the condemnation of Jesus to

replace the Jews as the chosen people, claiming that they are avenging Jesus.

B. St. Augustinea. Created constitutional structure for how the

world worksb. 410 C.E.- a barbarian army (pagan) sacked Romei. Caused people to wonder if pagan gods were

the best ii. Earthly city (Rome)- not under God’s

protection (testing ground) became the blueprint for the ideal civilization

iii. The perfect kingdom (City of God) would be one without disease or problems in the afterlife, a heavenly kingdom

iv. When it is time- signal of the second coming marked in scripture when nonbelievers are

converted. This means that Jews found themselves placed as obstacles to the Christian connection to God.

Middle Ages (800-1500 C.E.): Economic / political questions can all be

answered based on Christian idealsA. Age of Faith- church has ultimate authority

and dictates its willB. 1100s- A breakdown of social division is

given by a monka. Those who pray- clergyb. Those who fight- crusaders and knightsc. Those who work or labor- peasantsC. Since Jews were outside of God’s favor, they

were left out of the laws and had to be written in later.

D. The exclusion of the Jews was based on the quote, “You are your father, the Devil.” - John 8:44

E. 1096 C.E.- the First Crusadea. Christians challenged the Muslim peopleb. Knights were charged with reconquering the Holy

Landc. Before the fighting even began, a knight named

Enricho sought to purify his homeland near the Rhine River. He slaughtered 12,000 Jews.

d. The crusaders succeeded and Christians claimed Jerusalem.F. Second Crusade

a. Rumors began that Jews murdered Christian children and used their blood to make matzo (unleavened bread) for Passover. This, of course, began as a rumor and lead to the belief in blood libels.

G. The Christian Church- becoming too wealthy; money lendinga. Reformation- Should the church have so much $?

i. Martin Luther- believed that the second

coming of Jesus was dependent on the

conversion of the Jewsii. “Get with the program.”iii. “On the Jews and their Lives”-

condemned all Jews, promoted the burning of

synagogues & stated that it was a mistake not to

kill all Jews.b. Reformers won- church made major changes

H. 1179 C.E.- Church decreed that interest charges were immorala. Useryb. Since the Jews were outside the law, they fixed the

dilemma. c. Jews- “damned” by the Christian world; assigned

the role of usurers only to be despised for their positions

d. This is the beginning of the stereotype that Jews will cheat / steal from you.

I. 1144 C.E.- first ritual murder of a child is recordeda. Norwichb. Christian boy= all Jews are to blamec. Persecution of the Jews escalates

J. 1215 C.E.- Medieval Conferencea. Chaired by Pope Innocent IIIb. Explanation of the seven sacraments established

i. Eucharist- wafer and wine to represent body

of Christ ii. Host desecration charges- Jews

killed Jesus (deicide)

iii. Law was created- Jews made to wear

identifiable clothing; had to isolate themselves on Christian holidaysK. Passion plays- unified emotions against

Jews

L. 1348 C.E.- Black Plague spread through Europe

a. People believed that God was punishing them for sins

b. Medical advances were bleakc. People wanted something/one to blamed. Jews were not hit hard by the plague;

therefore, people thought they were the cause.

M. 1480 C.E.- Spanish Inquisition; Jews tortured by Torquemada

N. Jewish migrationa. Movement to get Jews into eastern Europe in

order to have a centralized populationb. Formal ghettos were establishedc. Gates to the ghettos were locked at night

Modern Era (1700-1900 C.E.)- legacy of hopeA. Enlightenment

a. 1750s- Jean Jacques Rousseau- essay on the equality of man

i. Examples of those inspired by it: Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln, & Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

ii. Social divisions were not by God but by man (undo it)iii. Led to Jews being citizens in many European

countries (ex. England, Spain, and Germany)iv. Economic expansion- allows more Jews into jobs,

arts, and music (still limited in medicine, law, & journalism)

B. High rate of marriage between Jews & Gentiles

C. Jews- finally felt they had reached ‘safe harbor’

D. Russia- only country where resentment of the Jews still occurred

a. Came about after the assassination of a czarb. Brought on pogroms against the Jewsc. Jews fled Russia

E. 1776- America declared its independence from Great Britain and created the premise of tolerance for all religions in its Constitution. F. 1871- Jews are granted citizenship in GermanyG. 1879- The term “anti-Semitism” is coined by

Wilhelm Marr in a publication entitled “The Victory of the Jews over Germany.” Marr believed that everything of value in Germany was threatened by the Jews (demonic).

H. 1894- the Dreyfus Affair occurred. Alfred Dreyfus was accused of providing information to Germans. He was convicted and sent to serve his sentence at Devil’s Island. Dreyfus was later found innocent but was held captive due to the unwillingness of the French army to admit wrongdoing

I. 1903- Protocols of Zion- a forged document is circulated which indicated that the Jews of Russia were planning to take over Christian civilization using economic disasters, wars, and revolutions.

J. 1914- World War I begins and Jewish soldiers fight alongside Germans.

K. 1917- Germany surrenders amid rumors that they were sold out by Jews, Communists, and Socialists.

L. 1935- the Nuremberg Laws are passed which racially segregated Jews from the German populace.