JEWISH PEOPLE - EARLY MODERN Flashcards
Why did the Jewish people come back?
During Oliver Cromwell’s rule as Lord Protector of England after the Civil War, following a meeting with Rabbi Menasseh Ben Israel he invited Jewish people back, recognising the economic potential of Jewish expertise
• 1656, a small group of Jews settled in Aldgate, which was outside London at the time (now part of East London
What was the negative type of Early-modern Jewish experience like?
• Initially - suspicion and discrimination
• Antisemitism:
• restrictions on attending university, practicing law, or serving in the army.
• Pamphlets and songs depicted Jewish people as thieves and beggars e.g. Shylock in Shakespeare’s
“The Merchant of Venice.”
What were the positives of the Jewish experience like?
By the 17th century, Jewish people were established in communities in London and Portsmouth and were already gaining acceptance
In 1701, they built a synagogue
Many integrated economically: they had key roles in finance, contributing to the establishment of the royal exchange.
Some were poor and relied on donations for basic necessities
What were the impacts of the Jewish migration in the Early modern period?
Impact:
• Economic Contributions: Jewish merchants, contributed significantly to England’s trade and financial activities. Also funded monarchs E.g. Lopes Suasso funded William III
Glorious Revolution.
• Cultural Diversity: Jewish communities influenced English culture, introducing new foods and customs as well as words; Synagogue and Rabbi
• Financial and Trade Influence: Jewish financiers played a crucial role in financing ventures, including the colonization of the Americas. E.g. Soloman de Medina financed the Duke of Marlborough’s campaigns and was the first Jew to receive a knighthood.
