Blog 11/11/13

2. JAH pp. 338-339 gives an overview of life for Jews in the interwar period in Europe, especially in the states newly created out of the fallen empires (Russian, German, Hapsburg, and Ottoman). What was the Jewish experience in the new states? Were Jews welcomed into these nations?

Jews were subjected to exclusion, discrimination, and physical violence. Jewish culture began to flourish in Germany, Poland and the Soviet Union before the Paris Peace Conference. New opportunities began to open up many social and cultural integration for Jews. But violence began to break out in Poland in 1919, where seventy Jews were murdered. In the Ukraine, 60,000 Jews were killed in 1921. New freedoms were erupting for Jews, but was met by antisemitism. Nazism began to rise, a direct threat to Jews. 

3. JAH pp. 339-340 surveys Jewish professions and the rising number of Jews in Europe. What professions were particularly favored by Jews? What kinds of trade did Jews concentrate in?

In 1900 8.7 million Jews lived in Europe and in 1925, 9.3 million lived in Europe. In Budapest, 51% were Jewish lawyers, and 63% were Jewish doctors. Jews seemed to be holding physician, lawyer, bankers, stock exchange, business and journalist jobs throughout Europe.