Anti-Semitism
By Anthony
What is Anti-Semitism?
- Anti-Semitism is hatred or prejudice (bias) against Jews
- Anti-Semitism still exists today, but was extremely evident during the Holocaust
Current event
This current event explains and shows an example of modern-day anti-semitism in the campus of UCLA. A student, Rachel Beyda was looking to be nominated onto the council's judicial board. She was asked if her being a Jew would prevent her from having an unbiased view on different issues, then was rejected. However, after being reminded that this shouldn't be an issue, they unanimously accepted her.
Background
Jews’ culture and religious beliefs were different from those of other Europeans. Some thought that Jews were so inferior that they were not worthy of life.
Things quickly grew into a conspiracy theory that said Jews intended to destroy the Germans.
Igniting the Fire
According to the theory, the Jews started the war to weaken all the European countries to eventually rule them.
The theory wrongly stated that Jews were responsible for the collapse of Germany’s government and signing a truce even though victory was near.
Anti-Semitism during WWII
When Germany fell into the Great Depression, many were willing to believe that it was all the Jews’ fault. They refused to accept that it was that of their leaders'.
Anti-Semitism & Hitler
About Hitler
According to Hitler’s autobiography, he had made a decision to be an anti-Semite early in his life
Hitler considered the Jews to be inferior as well
Hitler During WWII
Hitler was a great speaker, and constantly complained about the Jews, saying they were "at the root" of every problem in Germany
Hitler became the leader of the German Worker’s Party and soon added the words “National Socialist” to the group name; soon they became known as the Nazi Party
Overall, anti-semitism was the belief that Jews held too much power and were responsible for everything bad that happened in the world
- Hitler used his time in the courtroom (after being arrested for treason) to rant against the Jews, knowing many Germans admired him
- After Germany’s Great Depression put 6 million people out of work, Hitler used this opportunity to blame the Jews
- When the Allies won the war, it temporarily put extreme violence involving Anti-Semitism to rest