Historical Events tagged with "anti-semitism"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Politics & Government

Nazis Initiate Boycott of Jewish Businesses

April 1st, 1933 91 years ago

In April 1933, newly elected Nazi officials, including Julius Streicher, organized a nationwide boycott of Jewish-owned businesses in Germany. This action marked the beginning of systematic discrimination against Jews and was supported by prominent Nazi leaders. The boycott was publicized through the use of signs and pamphlets urging Aryan citizens to refrain from patronizing Jewish stores, effectively isolating Jewish communities and generating widespread fear.

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Crime & Law

Leo Frank Lynched by a Mob in Georgia

August 17th, 1915 109 years ago

Leo Frank, a Jewish American factory manager, was lynched by a mob in Marietta, Georgia, after his death sentence for the murder of Mary Phagan was commuted by Governor John Slaton. The case garnered national attention due to its ethnic and racial undertones and highlighted issues of anti-Semitism in the United States at the time.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Kishinev Pogrom Triggers Jewish Exodus

April 19th, 1903 121 years ago

In Kishinev, Bessarabia, violent attacks against the Jewish community erupted, resulting in the deaths of dozens and the destruction of homes and businesses. This pogrom instigated widespread fear among the Jewish population, leading many to seek refuge in Palestine and other parts of the Western world. The violence was fueled by longstanding anti-Semitic sentiments and false accusations, igniting a humanitarian crisis that extended beyond the region.

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Politics & Government

Zola's J'accuse…! Challenges Dreyfus Case

January 13th, 1898 127 years ago

Émile Zola published an open letter titled 'J'accuse…!' in the newspaper L'Aurore, defending Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer wrongfully convicted of treason. Through passionate rhetoric, Zola denounced the French military's cover-up and anti-Semitism surrounding the case. This letter, addressed to the President, stirred public debate and highlighted societal divisions, drawing supporters from various factions advocating for justice.

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Crime & Law

Alfred Dreyfus Wrongly Convicted of Treason

December 22nd, 1894 130 years ago

Alfred Dreyfus, a French army officer of Jewish descent, was falsely accused of treason, leading to his conviction by a military court. The conviction stemmed from a controversial trial heavily influenced by anti-Semitic sentiments within French society. Dreyfus was sentenced to life imprisonment on Devil's Island, a penal colony in French Guiana, in a trial marked by dubious evidence and procedural irregularities. This case would ignite a national crisis and provoke widespread public debate over justice, human rights, and the role of anti-Semitism in France.

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Crime & Law

Massacre of suspected Jews in Lisbon

April 21st, 1506 518 years ago

In April 1506, over 1,900 suspected Jews were killed in Lisbon by a mob of Portuguese Catholics. This three-day massacre erupted amid a backdrop of escalating tensions and religious fervor following the forced conversions of Jews to Christianity in Portugal. The violence began with a rumor about a miraculous incident in a local church, leading to widespread hysteria and an outpouring of revenge against the Jewish population. The authorities struggled to intervene as the mob rampaged through the city, resulting in staggering loss of life and property.

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Politics & Government

Louis IX Expels Jews from Bavaria

October 5th, 1450 574 years ago

Under the authority of Louis IX, Duke of Bavaria, a decree was issued for the expulsion of Jews from his jurisdiction. This action was part of a broader trend of anti-Jewish sentiment prevalent in Europe during the late Middle Ages. The expulsion reflected growing tensions between Christian and Jewish communities, leading to significant population displacement. The reasons cited included economic factors and allegations of usury, systematically targeting a marginalized group within society.

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Crime & Law

Mass Killing of Jews in Strasbourg

February 14th, 1349 676 years ago

In Strasbourg, a violent outbreak erupted leading to the deaths of several hundred Jews who were burned alive by mobs. The remnants of the Jewish community were forcibly expelled from the city. This brutal incident stemmed from widespread anti-Jewish sentiment fueled by the Black Death, as Jews were wrongfully blamed for the plague that ravaged Europe.

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Crime & Law

Basel's Jewish Population Rounded Up and Incinerated

January 9th, 1349 676 years ago

In Basel, fear and superstition led to the mass rounding up and incineration of the Jewish population, whom many residents blamed for the Black Death ravaging Europe. Accusations of poisoning wells and spreading disease fueled this brutal act of violence against the community, who had lived in Basel for generations. The incident occurred amidst widespread hysteria and a desperate search for scapegoats amid the pandemic crisis.

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