Lesson 11

Lecture Notes

Review1. What characterizes Assimilationist

responses?2. What characterizes Affirmationist

responses?3. Which of these responses do you think

still exists?4. What impact has the Holocaust had on

Jewish identity as described in our last lecture and/or on other generations of Jews?

Anti-Semitism: Part

IWhy does anti-Semitism exist after

emancipation?What does it look like?

How is it different from anti-Semitism before emancipation?

Anti-Semitism Prior to Emancipation I Anti-Semitism in Western Europe since

about the 4th century Emperor Constantine coverts Much of western Europe becomes Christian

Jews seen as outsiders they did not participate in Christianity Jews seen as Christ killers

Anti-Semitism Prior to Emancipation II Forms taken

Blood Libels Christian blood used for Matzah First record of blood libel – England in Middle Ages

Well Poisoning During the Plauge Jews accused of poisoning wells

Anti-Semitsim based primarily on religious reasons

Modern Anti-Semitism With the rise of modern states (beginning

with the French Revolution) anti-Semitism changes.

No longer based on purely religious lines.

Blood Libel and Well Poisoning allegations mostly disappear.

New Model I

Modern State

Emancipation Anti - Semitism

New Model II Grows out of tensions caused by modern

nations – not religious New forms of government New forms of production – industrial rev Development of capitalism – displaced people Politicians use Jewish issue to bolster career

Conspiratorial view of the world Everything is black and white New racial theories

Political Anti-Semitism I Definition

Jews are blamed for all the things that are wrong with society. (war, capitalism, government corruption)

They are seen as having too much influence. Politicians use the Jewish issue to bolster their

career paths.

Political Anti-Semitism II The modern state requires cultural

integration, but the Jews maintain their separateness.

“A State Within a State” (1793) Johann Gottlieb Fichte Cannot give Jews rights because they are a

state within a state.

Political Anti-Semitism III Primary Sources

“The Victory of Judaism over Germandom” (p.331-332) “The Jews: Kings of the Epoch” (p. 335 “In foreign

affairs… - end) Directions

Be prepared to share your document with the class What is the context for your document? What specific points does it make? How are Jews described

in your document? What makes this an example of political anti-Semitism?

Political Anti-Semitism IV Politicians begin to use the “Jewish Issue”

for political gain. “What We Demand of Modern Jewry”

(1879) by Adolf Stoecker Judaism is irrelevant Jews are greedy To save our country, we must legislate agains

Jews

Political Anti-Semitism V Extreme form of Political Anti-Semitism

sees a great Jewish conspiracy to take over the world. “The Rabbi’s Speech: The Promise of World

Domination” (1872) “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” (1902)

Political Anti-Semitism VI

How are Jews characterized in political anti-Semitism? What are their plans?

Does political anti-Semitism still exist? In what ways?

Next Class Preview

Racial Anti-Semitism What is it? Where does it get its start? What does it lead to?

Anti-Semitic Events The Damascus Affair The Dreyfus Affair