Kristallnacht: Coordinated Attack Against Jews
November 9th, 1938
November 9th, 1938
How Long Ago?
86 years, 4 months, 6 days ago
Location
Germany and Austria
Category
Politics & Government
People
- Herschel Grynszpan
- Ernst vom Rath
Links & References
Tags
Kristallnacht: Coordinated Attack Against Jews
In a wave of organized violence, the Nazis instigated Kristallnacht as a reaction to the assassination of German diplomat Ernst vom Rath by Herschel Grynszpan. Over the course of this night, Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues were systematically vandalized and destroyed across Germany and Austria. This nationwide pogrom resulted in widespread terror among the Jewish community, with thousands arrested and sent to concentration camps. The event marked a significant escalation in the Nazis' anti-Semitic policies.
Violence aimed at Jewish communities begins.
Triggered by assassination of Ernst vom Rath.
Widespread destruction of Jewish property.
30,000 Jewish men arrested and detained.
What Happened?
Kristallnacht, also known as the Night of Broken Glass, was a large-scale, coordinated attack on Jewish people, businesses, and places of worship throughout Germany and Austria. The violence was triggered by the assassination of Ernst vom Rath, a German diplomat in Paris, by Herschel Grynszpan, a Jewish teenager. Grynszpan's act was reportedly motivated by outrage over the deportation of his family to Poland. In response, the Nazi regime seized the opportunity to incite a violent rampage against Jews, portraying it as a reaction to the assassination, though it was pre-planned. On the night of November 9, 1938, stormtroopers and civilians smashed windows of Jewish-owned stores, burned down synagogues, and looted homes and businesses. This brutal crackdown led to considerable destruction and the arrests of approximately 30,000 Jewish men, many of whom were sent to concentration camps. The name Kristallnacht refers to the shards of broken glass littering the streets after the violence.
Why Does it Matter?
Kristallnacht is considered a pivotal moment in the history of Nazi Germany and its systematic persecution of Jews. It marked the transition from economic and social ostracism to outright brutality and violence. The pogrom signaled both the international community's growing awareness of the dangers posed by Nazi anti-Semitic policies and the beginning of more formalized genocidal practices. Kristallnacht serves as a reminder of the consequences of unchecked hatred and state-sponsored violence.
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