Why did the Status and Position of Jews in Germany Worsen in the Years 1933-9?
Although anti-semitism existed in Germany before, Hitler's election on January 1933 began the systematic and merciless persecution of Jews. Their basic rights were removed. The 1935 Nuremberg laws forbid Jews to marry or have relationships with Germans, or be German citizens. In August, 1938, "Israel" was added to the names of all Jewish men and "Sarah" to all Jewish women, making them more conspicuous so persecution was easier. Violence began after November 7th, 1938, when Grynszpan, a Polish Jew, entered the German Embassy in Paris and shot the first official he met as protest against the treatment of his parents. This led to the worst organised pogrom in Germany, Kristallnacht. Jewish shops, homes and synagogues were smashed. 100 Jews were killed, 20 000 sent to concentration camps. March 1939 saw the first mass arrests of Jews. By April nearly all Jewish businesses were closed. As seen, the persecution increased gradually, and was therefore difficult to stop, as Germans hardly knew what they were protesting about.
Although anti-semitism existed in Germany before, Hitler's election on January 1933 began the systematic and merciless persecution of Jews. Their basic rights were removed. The 1935 Nuremberg laws forbid Jews to marry or have relationships with Germans, or be German citizens. In August, 1938, "Israel" was added to the names of all Jewish men and "Sarah" to all Jewish women, making them more conspicuous so persecution was easier. Violence began after November 7th, 1938, when Grynszpan, a Polish Jew, entered the German Embassy in Paris and shot the first official he met as protest against the treatment of his parents. This led to the worst organised pogrom in Germany, Kristallnacht. Jewish shops, homes and synagogues were smashed. 100 Jews were killed, 20 000 sent to concentration camps. March 1939 saw the first mass arrests of Jews. By April nearly all Jewish businesses were closed. As seen, the persecution increased gradually, and was therefore difficult to stop, as Germans hardly knew what they were protesting about.