Anti-semitism

Question 1

What was the Pale of Settlement

Answer 1

-since 1736 5 million jews confined to this area
-region south west part of Russia 1791
-included much of modern day Lithuania, Belarus, Poland, Ukraine + Maldova

Question 2

What was anti-semitism like under Alexander II

Answer 2

-it existed among poorer elements in society
-not only hatred of Jews due to teaching of Orthodox Church but also resented their personal riches
-allowed wealthier Jews settle outside pale
-but polish revolt made him scared + withdrew concessions + reduced participation in town gov’t
-this encourage anti-semitism

Question 3

What was anti-semitism like under Alexander III

Answer 3

-further encouraged mainly by Pobedonostev
-slogans like ‘beat the yids’ encouraged by P
-Pobedonostev suggested 1/3 die 1/3 emigrate + 1/3 assimilate
-Alexander III himself anti-Semitic on religious + political grounds — right wing press encouraged belief Jews orchestrated fathers assassination
-growing fear of Jewish involvement in new opposition movements

Question 4

What were the Jewish pogroms 1881-84

Answer 4

-Jewish concentration in pale made them easy targets for violence
-immediate cause unknown — may started due to business competition with Jews for Lucrative railway contracts
-encouraged by Okhrana with link to Alexander II’s assassination to stir trouble
-governing authorities did little to curb violence
-‘holy league’ — organisation supported by Pobedonostev helped coordinate early attacks

Question 5

Where did the riots spread to

Answer 5

-to other Ukrainian towns like Kiev + Odessa
-many Jews fled across border to Western Europe
-major cities affected — Jewish property burned, shops + businesses destroyed + many incidents rape + murder

Question 6

What laws in 1882 added to the Jewish discrimination

Answer 6

-article 1 — Jews forbidden settle outside towns + cities of fewer 10,000
-article 2 — contracts for mortgaging property outside towns +cities to Jew shall be of no effect
-article 3 — Jews forbidden to do business on Sundays like laws compelling Christian’s
-these laws condemned Jews living in Ghettos in cities

Question 7

What was the impact of anti-semitism

Answer 7

-many fled but others exiled
-from 1890 foreign Jews deported along with Russian Jews outside pale
-winter 1891-92 10000 Jewish artisans expelled where legally settled under Alexander II
-policies drove disproportionate number towards revolutionary groups e.g. Marxist socialisms