Language:
German
Year of publication:
2000
Titel der Quelle:
Vierteljahrshefte für Zeitgeschichte
Angaben zur Quelle:
48,1 (2000) 75-126
Keywords:
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
Abstract:
Argues that local communities played a leading role in translating into action the Nazi policy of segregation of the Jews. For the central government it was convenient to allow measures that would have aroused international protest if carried out at the national level to be initiated at the local level instead. Thus, although the law prohibited individual initiatives, in practice they were encouraged; measures taken in various localities were publicized so they would be imitated by others. Communities restricted use of public facilities by Jews, enforced boycotts of Jewish businesses and professionals, deprived the Jews of welfare aid, prohibited contact with Jews, and finally segregated them in "Jewish" houses or camps. The Deutsche Gemeindetag (council of communities) advised communities of their freedom to act, and mediated between them and the ministries, often obtaining legislation regularizing the local initiatives. Even after 1938, when Göring became coordinator of Jewish policy, local authorities retained considerable freedom in the timing and methods of carrying out his directives.
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