Blog Oct 30

Anti-Semitism was the further development of the connection between racial/cultural identities and definitive connotations about those peoples. Jews have always faced oppression, but during this time Jews became identified as the scapegoat of modernity’s ill effects. Jews were able to maintain their culture and religion throughout all of this, which made other groups resentful. The importance they placed on education and hygiene, results of reform, allowed them to increase in population and standard of living. At the same time emancipation efforts were anticipated to fade out Jewishness, but obviously this was not the case. As life became difficult in many urban areas within Europe, people needed someone to blame. Tons of anti-Semitic literature and propaganda was unveiled in an effort to put all the blame on the Jews. Authors like Wilhelm Marr claimed, Jewish acceptance in the Enlightenment allowed them to reach successful places in society. He asserted, due to this acceptance they could no longer be trusted. Almost all Jewish teachers were removed from their positions because it was believed they would hinder the children they taught. Other prominent Jewish professions like bankers and journalists faced incredible scrutiny. Essentially Jews were hated on for their success while other groups faced adversity.