Language:
English
Year of publication:
1991
Titel der Quelle:
New German Critique
Angaben zur Quelle:
52 (1991) 155-172
Keywords:
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
;
Jews History 1945-
;
Antisemitism History 1945-
Abstract:
An expanded version of a paper presented at a conference held in Jerusalem, October 1990. Examines ways in which Nazism and reflections on the mass murder of the Jews became elements of German historical consciousness and political culture after World War II. Mentions the forced philosemitism of West German political culture in the 1950s-60s and the anti-Zionist backlash of the younger generation after 1967. Discusses the present-day trend, in light of German unification, to neutralize the Nazi period and its crimes by emphasizing the "continuity" of German history. "Mastering the past" now refers to the 40 years of communist rule. The linkage of anti-communism and antisemitism is being revitalized to create new antisemitic sentiments, involving also a fear of the influx of Russian Jewish immigrants. Expresses doubts that Auschwitz will be a concrete component of future German historical consciousness; National Socialism and the Shoah will recede into the past. But the Jewish factor will persist as a counterpoint to the mainstream of national reconstruction.
Note:
An expanded version appeared as "The 'Jewish question' in the 'German question' 1945-1990: reflections in the light of November 9th" in "The Danger of Antisemitism in Central and Eastern Europe in the Wake of 1989-1990" (1991) 35-51.
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