Language:
German
Year of publication:
2013
Titel der Quelle:
Zeitschrift für Geschichtswissenschaft
Angaben zur Quelle:
61,5 (2013) 404-424
Keywords:
Antisemitism History 1800-2000
Abstract:
Argues that 19th-century German antisemitism was too peripheral and regionally divided to constitute a unified ideology. It was one phenomenon of a society divided in many segments. The 1880s-90s witnessed the birth of a strong, local, and partly racist antisemitism which was, however, limited in goal and served specific social interests. It came about as a protest movement among various groups (mainly artisans and peasants) opposing radical democratic reforms. After World war I, some of the local, peripheral areas provided fertile ground for radical, antisemitic mass movements. The crisis-ridden period between 1916-24 was especially important for this development. Rejects the idea of a German "Sonderweg", which views Hitler's rise to power as a result of the events of the 19th century. Nazism was the product of the social crisis of the Weimar Republic and the persistent radicalization and politicization of society. Due to the war, the revolution, and the turbulent early 1920s, the radical-populist movements, which had characterized the antisemitic peripheries at the time of the German Empire, moved increasingly towards the center. The Nazi movement provided a "net" for them. In addition, and more importantly, Nazism before 1933 reflected not just extremist elements in German society, but the main currents as well. The NSDAP represented racial antisemitism, which was marginal in Germany, as well as the antisemitism of the regional periphery, which had until then been channeled to populist-radical parties.
URL:
Locate this publication in Israeli libraries
Permalink