Kristallnacht 1938 (Night of the Broken Glass) Flashcards
What triggered Kristallnacht?
In November 1938 a young Jew killed a German diplomat
How did the Nazis exploit the murder of the German diplomat in Paris?
They used it as an excuse to attack Jews
What is Kristallnacht also known as?
Night of the Broken Glass
Who carried out Kristallnacht?
SS troopers in plain clothes
What were SS troopers issued with to carry out Kristallnacht?
Pickaxes and hammers
What actually happened on Kristallnacht?
SS officers ran riot, smashing up Jewish shops and work places
How many Jews were killed, according to the Nazis?
91
How many Jews were rounded up and taken to a concentration camp?
About 30,000
How did the Nazi-controlled press present Kristallnacht?
As a spontaneous uprising of Germans against Jews
Did most Germans agree with Kristallnacht?
No - many were alarmed by it. But few protested and those who did were often killed.
When did Kristallnacht take place?
9-10 November 1938
How many synagogues were destroyed during Kristallnacht?
Over 250
Why was Kristallnacht so significant?
It was a turning point. Previously persecution of Jews had largely been political, social or economic. Now it was physical - and often ended in murder.
What do some people argue about Kristallnacht?
They argue that it was the beginning of the Holocaust
What did historian Max Rein say about Kristallnacht?
“Kristallnacht came…and everything ______ _________”
“Kristallnacht came…and everything was changed.”
