Questions for 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?

 

Many Jews were subjected to exclusion, economic boycott, discrimination, and physical violence. Although these new states were based on democratic principles, many of them failed to live up to those expectations and many new states shut out Jews from new economies and societies. Violence against Jews was extremely present  in the Interwar period, especially in Poland, Hungary, and Lithuania. While many new Jews rose to power in these new nations for the first time, they were still discriminated against and looked down upon by right wing parties.

 

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?

 

The professions that were favored by Jews were Lawyers (51% in Budapest) and Doctors (63% in Vienna). Physicians (61% in Cracow) was also a very popular profession for Jews. The trades that the Jews were concentrated in were leather goods, textiles, clothing, and shoe manufacture.