Anti-Semitism, The Holocaust, Nazi persecution of Jews and other groups Flashcards
What does Anti-Semitism mean?
Any hostility toward, or discrimination against Jews as a religious, ethnic, or racial group.
Why was life for Jews not easy?
Jewish people around Europe were treated differently by their non-Jewish neighbours. Sometimes there were even violent attacks on Jews.
Why was there hostility towards Jews?
The reasons for this hostility go back two thousand years to Roman times. The relationship between Jews and Romans changed as the Roman Empire changed as the Roman Empire grew. When Christianity became the official religion of the Empire in the fourth century, Judaism became a rival religion, and some early Christians wrongly claimed that Jews had killed Jesus.
What was done that was unfair to Jews?
Rulers of different countries passed laws that were unfair to Jews. E.g. stopping them from doing certain jobs, or making them live separately from non-Jews in ghettos.
What were Jews forced to do?
Wear hats, badges or certain items of clothing to show that they were Jewish.
What happened on numerous occasions throughout history and what happened as a result of it?
Jews were forced to leave their country. This caused great movements of Jewish refugees across Europe and beyond.
What happened in Germany between 1933 and 1939?
Jews in Germany faced terrible discrimination and prejudice and some were killed.
What happened between 1939-1945?
The Second World War. During this, the mass killing of approx. six million Jews across Europe occurred.
What did the Nazis want to do?
They wanted to totally destroy Jewish life in Europe.
What were Jewish people victims of?
Genocide
Define Genocide
Any act committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.
What brought the killings to an end?
The defeat of Nazi Germany and its allies in 1945.
How many European Jews were killed?
Two-thirds of Jews who lived in Europe before the war were killed.
How many Jewish children were killed?
Approx. 90% of all Jewish children.
What were the other groups persecuted by the Nazis?
- Roma and Sinti people (sometimes called ‘Gypsies’)
- Disabled people
- Gay men
- Jehovah’s Witnesses
- Political opponents
- Polish and Soviet civilians
- Prisoners of War from the Soviet Union
How were the Roma and Sinti people (sometimes called ‘Gypsies’) prosecuted?
They faced terrible discrimination, brutal treatment, and imprisonment in Nazi camps. They were victims of genocide.
How many Roma and Sinti people were murdered during the Second War?
Five hundred thousand (500,000)
What happened in March 1933?
A boycott of Jewish shops organised for one day
What happened in April 1933?
- A law removed all Jewish and political opponents from public service
- The number of Jewish school children reduced and controlled
What happened in October 1933?
Removed Jews from the media
What happened in May 1935?
All Jews removed from the army
What happened in September 1935?
The Nuremburg Laws were introduced
What did the Nuremburg Laws involve?
- The Reich citizen law
2. Law for the protection of German Blood and German Honour
What is the Reich citizen law?
Declared that only those of German or related blood were eligible to German citizens (citizens of the ‘Reich’).
What is the Law for the protection of German Blood and German Honour?
Forbade marriages and sexual relations between Jews and Germans. It was a law designed German blood and punishment for breaking it was severe.
What happened in March 1936?
Withdrawal of financial assistance for Jewish children.
What happened in October 1936?
Jewish teachers forbidden to teach non Jewish children.
What happened in 1937?
Jewish people unable to gain a university degree.
What did Jewish people lose in 1938?
Their license to work.
What did Jews have to tell the government in 1938?
How much wealth they had and where it was.
What did Jewish people have to have in their name in 1938?
All Jewish women must have ‘Sara’ and Jewish men ‘Israel’ in their name.
What had to be in all Jewish passports in 1938?
A red ‘Jew’ stamp
What were Jewish children banned from in 1938?
Attending German schools
What was banned from Jews in 1938?
Park benches and shops - were “for Aryans only”
What were Jews forced to do in 1938?
Wear distinctive clothing such as a Star on their clothes.
