Language:
French
Year of publication:
2000
Titel der Quelle:
Revue des Etudes Juives
Angaben zur Quelle:
159,1-2 (2000) 145-184
Keywords:
Jews History 1800-2000
;
Antisemitism History 1800-2000
Abstract:
Discusses the connection between antisemitism and the "embourgeoisement" of the Hungarian nobility in the 19th century. Contends that mid-century advocates of economic modernization in Hungary failed to convince the gentry of its necessary participation in the process because of the stereotyped association of commerce with the negative image of the Jews. The reformers, themselves ambivalent, accepted the Jews as moral in theory but could not reconcile themselves with Jewish commercial activity in practice. Attributes the contradictions among the reformers to the power of prejudice, the difficulty they had grasping the consequences of their liberal ideology, and problems inherent in the project of trying to shape the gentry into the leading force of the "embourgeoisement". The reformers could not have praised the Jews without alienating the nobility. Concludes that the attempt to construct a "Magyar" national identity based on artistocratic values and traits could only lead to growing opposition to Jewish emancipation and integration into Hungarian society.
DOI:
10.2143/REJ.159.1.155
URL:
Locate this publication in Israeli libraries
Permalink