Germany - 3.2.5 Persecution of the Jews Flashcards
Beliefs about the Jews (5)
- Jews in Germany were often associated with communism
- Many Jews were very wealthy and people were jealous of them
- They were seen as alien because of their different religious practices, clothing and beliefs
- They were blamed for Germany’s defeat in the First World War and the Treaty of Versailles (some of the Weimar politicians were Jewish)
- They were believed to be the lowest level of untermenschen (sub-humans).
Why did many of the German population not question the persecution of Jews?
Anti-Semitism was popular in Germany amongst some people before the Nazis came into power
How did persecution against Jewish begin?
With an attack on Jewish businesses and the removal of Jewish people from their jobs
What happened in 1933 to do with the persecution of Jews?
The SA organised a one-day boycott of Jewish shops. They painted a yellow star on doors and discouraged people from going inside. Jewish actors and musicians were banned from performing. Jewish civil servants and teachers were sacked. Jews who worked for the government were fired. Jews were no longer allowed to join the army or to inherit land. The SA also organised a one-day boycott of Jewish lawyers and doctors.
What happened in 1934 to do with the persecution of Jews?
Some Jews were banned from public places like parks and swimming pools; other councils painted park benches yellow specifically for use by Jewish people
What happened in 1935 to do with the persecution of Jews?
The Nuremberg Laws, which placed further restrictions on Jewish life, were declared
What did the Nuremberg Laws do to Jews? (2)
- The Reich Law on Citizenship: Jews became subjects not citizens, Jews cannot vote, have a German passport or work for the government, people were defined as ‘Jewish’ if they had three or more Jewish grandparents
- The Reich Law for the Protection of German Blood and Honour: Jews could not marry German citizens
What happened in 1936 to do with the persecution of Jews?
Jews were banned or restricted from working as vets, accountants, teachers, dentists and nurses
What happened in 1937 to do with the persecution of Jews?
Jewish businesses were taken over by ‘Aryans’. Jewish passports had to be stamped with a ‘J’ and ‘Israel’ (for men) or ‘Sarah’ (for women) added to their names
What happened in 1938 to do with the persecution of Jews?
Jews had to register their property. Jewish shops were set on fire or vandalised (Kristallnacht)
What happened to Jews who worked for the government from 1933?
They were fired
In 1937, what names did Jewish people have to add to their names? (2)
- Israel (for men)
- Sarah (for women)
Describe the events of Kristallnacht from 7 - 10 November (4)
- 7 November: A 17-year-old Polish Jew entered the German embassy in Paris and shot a German
- 8 November: Goebbels used the event to stir up resentment against Jews by attacking homes and synagogues in Hanover
- 9 November: Goebbels and Hitler decided to increase the violence to a nationwide attack - the Nazis staged Kristallnacht in response to a Jew assassinating a German ambassador in Paris
- 9-10 November: Groups of uniformed and non-uniformed gangs ran amok amongst Jewish communities, destroying and burning homes, shops, businesses and synagogues. 100 Jews were killed. In addition, 814 shops, 171 homes and 191 synagogues were destroyed
Consequences of Kristallnacht
Goebbels blamed the Jews for starting the trouble on Kristallnacht and ordered them to pay damages. Jews were fined 1 billion marks.
What happened on 7 November (Kristallnacht)
A 17-year-old Polish Jew entered the German embassy in Paris and shot a German
What happened on 8 November (Kristallnacht)
Goebbels used the event to stir up resentment against Jews by attacking homes and synagogues in Hanover
What happened on 9 November (Kristallnacht)
Goebbels and Hitler decided to increase the violence to a nationwide attack - the Nazis staged Kristallnacht in response to a Jew assassinating a German ambassador in Paris
What happened between 9-10 November (Kristallnacht)
Groups of uniformed and non-uniformed gangs ran amok amongst Jewish communities, destroying and burning homes, shops, businesses and synagogues. 100 Jews were killed. In addition, 814 shops, 171 homes and 191 synagogues were destroyed
During WW2, persecution of Jews reached levels not seen before. At some point during the summer of 1941, Nazi leaders decided on the ‘____ _________ __ ___ _______ __________’ - to exterminate Jewish across all German territory in Europe
Final Solution of the Jewish Question
How was Kristallnacht a turning point for the Jews?
This was the first time they had been physically harmed by the Nazis. Afterwards, it was clear that Jews needed to flee Germany
What happened in January 1939 to do with the persecution of Jews?
The Reich Central Office for Jewish Emigration was set up to organise the deportation of Jews from Germany and Austria
What happened as the German forces quickly conquered vast areas of Europe ?
As the German forces quickly conquered vast areas of Europe both in the west and east it brought many more Jews under Nazi control
What happened in October 1939 to do with the persecution of Jews?
The first ghettos were built in Poland to separate Jews from the rest of the population. Over 1000 ghettos were eventually built, mostly in Poland and the Soviet Union
What were ghettos?
Ghettos were areas of a city enclosed by high walls with barbed wire on top. Guards short anyone who tried to escape. Ghettos were very overcrowded and all goods entering them were severely restricted. Thousands died, mostly from starvation and disease.
