Although the Holocaust is probably the most discussed contemporary case of mass Jewish persecution, there has been prejudice and discrimination against Jews since the founding of Judaism. Whilst the persecution of the Jews was brought to its ultimate head by the rise of the Nazis, anti-Jewish feeling had been simmering throughout the early years of the twentieth century, primarily because the Jews were seen as a minority with better pay and were therefore easy to persecute. They were blamed for economic problems, the Russian Revolution, World War One and anything else going wrong in the country. Jewish immigrants in Britain found no one would employ them unless they worked on the Sabbath or festivals.
In Russia in 1905 the Tsar's secret police produced a document, the 'Protocols of the Elders of Zion,' supposed to contain the Jews' plans for taking over the world. In 1917 the Tsarist movement was brought to an end and anti-semitism was condemned; by the end of the 1920's, however, this changed when Stalin came to power and actively encouraged anti-semitism so he could remove Jews from high positions of authority after their period of prosperity. He set up secret pogroms which resulted in the rape and massacre of many innocent Jews, and the looting and destruction of their property. After the problems encountered in Russia, Jews fled to Palestine. Here, however, the Arab inhabitants were fearful that the Jews would take over and rioted forcing the Jews to form into groups for protection.(ii) (300)Analyze and explain the events that led to the HolocaustAfter enjoying a period of prosperity in German society, Jews were faced with Nazi hate when Hitler came to power in 1933.
They were continually discriminated against, with anti-Jewish propaganda appearing all over Germany. On April 1 Hitler declared a one-day boycott of Jewish businesses and signs were posted all over Germany saying, "German people, defend yourselves! Do not buy from Jews." Soon after Jews were banned from joining the army and Jewish children were not allowed to attend schools.The Nuremburg Laws were passed for the protection of Aryan Germans banning marriage between Jews and Aryans and stripping German Jews of their citizenship, although they still retained limited rights.
Hitler made outspoken attacks on Jews and ensured Jews had to register properly so they were easier to eliminate. In October 1938 Jews were forced to have a red 'J' stamped on their passports. Jewish businesses began to fail as they were now forbidden to have Aryan clients. Jews were rapidly becoming completely demoralized.Suppressed by Hitler's regime, they were losing their physical and psychological freedom after being stripped of their livelihood, left unable to express themselves like normal human beings. As Hitler's support grew, discrimination against the Jews escalated.
Hitler blamed any problems he could on the Jews and anyone who stood up against him was punished. At the beginning of Hitler's rise to power Jews did rebel against the Nazis, but after seeing their companions dealt with so harshly, many soon gave in and let the Nazis continue manipulating them. Many Jews were pushed into informing on their Jewish families and friends.Nazis became increasingly confident and realized they could get away with almost anything. They made Jews live in ghettos where they were sectioned off and isolated from the rest of society. Ghettos had been used in the past however this time it was a preliminary step towards annihilation of Jews rather than just a method of segregation.
As the war progressed, the ghettos became transition areas, used as collection points for deportation to concentration and death camps. The Nazis soon stepped up their violence towards the Jews and at Kristallnacht, the violence turned to murder. The power hungry Nazis had taken over and the mass persecution we know as the Holocaust had begun.
