Jewish persecution 1 (Edexcel GCSE History): Revision Notes
Jewish persecution part 1 (1933-1939)
Background to persecution
By the 1930s, hatred towards Jewish people (antisemitism) had already become more common in Germany. However, when the Nazis gained power in 1933, the persecution of Jewish communities became much worse and more systematic. This persecution would continue to escalate throughout the 1930s, setting the stage for even more horrific events during World War II.
It's important to understand that in 1933, Jewish people made up less than 1% of Germany's population and had been completely integrated into German society. Many were successful professionals, business owners, and contributing members of their communities.
Why Jewish people faced persecution
The Nazis targeted Jewish people for several interconnected reasons:
Scapegoating for Germany's problems: Nazi leaders blamed Jewish people for Germany's defeat in the First World War and the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles. This gave Germans someone to blame for their economic and political difficulties.
Religious and cultural prejudice: Some Germans held longstanding prejudices against Jewish people because of their different religion and customs. The Nazis exploited these existing attitudes.
Association with communism: The Nazis falsely claimed that Jewish people were connected to communism, particularly referencing Karl Marx's Jewish heritage. This played on fears about communist revolution.
Economic envy: Some Jewish people had been successful in business and professional careers, which created resentment during times of economic hardship.
Why most Germans allowed persecution to happen
The persecution was able to continue and escalate because of several factors:
Nazi propaganda influence: The government's constant anti-Jewish propaganda convinced many Germans that the persecution was justified and necessary for Germany's recovery.
Fear of consequences: People were afraid of the Gestapo (secret police) and SS if they spoke out against government policies. The consequences of resistance could be severe.
Social pressure: The climate of fear and conformity made it difficult for individuals to stand up against popular government policies.
Timeline of escalating persecution
Attacks on Jewish businesses
1933: The SA (Nazi paramilitary organisation) organised a nationwide one-day boycott of Jewish shops. They painted yellow stars on doors and tried to discourage people from shopping there. This marked the beginning of systematic economic persecution.
1937: Jewish businesses began to be taken over by non-Jewish Germans in a process called "Aryanisation". This was part of removing Jewish people from Germany's economic life.
1938: Jewish people were forced to register all their property with the authorities. Jewish shops were also marked with special signs to identify them as Jewish-owned businesses.
1939: Jewish people were completely banned from owning businesses, marking their total exclusion from economic participation in German society.
Professional and social restrictions
1933: Jewish actors and musicians were banned from performing. Jewish civil servants lost their jobs. Jewish people were also prohibited from joining the army and were banned from inheriting land.
1934: Jewish people were excluded from public spaces like parks and swimming pools. In some areas, they could only use park benches that were specifically designated for them and painted yellow.
1935: The Nuremberg Laws were introduced, placing severe legal restrictions on Jewish people's rights and citizenship. These laws would form the foundation for even harsher persecution later.
1936: Jewish people were banned from working in several professions including veterinary work, accounting, teaching, dentistry, and nursing. This systematically removed them from professional life.
1938: Jewish people had to have their passports stamped with a special 'J' for identification. Those with non-Jewish first names were forced to add 'Israel' or 'Sara' to their names on official documents.
1939: The Reich Office for Jewish Emigration was established with the goal of forcing all Jewish people to leave Germany. This represented a shift towards making Germany completely free of Jewish residents.
Key legislation and policies
The persecution was not random violence but a carefully planned series of laws and policies designed to systematically remove Jewish people from German society. The Nuremberg Laws of 1935 were particularly significant as they provided the legal framework for discrimination and would later be referenced in other Nazi policies.
The progression shows a clear pattern: first removing Jewish people from economic life, then from professional roles, then from social participation, and finally attempting to force them out of the country entirely.
Key Points to Remember:
- Antisemitism existed in Germany before the Nazis but became systematic government policy after 1933
- Jewish people made up less than 1% of Germany's population but were used as scapegoats for national problems
- Persecution escalated gradually through laws and policies rather than happening all at once
- The timeline shows increasing restrictions: economic exclusion (1933-1939), professional bans (1933-1936), and social segregation (1934-1938)
- Most Germans didn't resist due to Nazi propaganda, fear of consequences, and social pressure to conform