Language:
Polish
Year of publication:
2020
Titel der Quelle:
Kwartalnik Historii Żydów
Angaben zur Quelle:
274 (2020) 315-339
Keywords:
Christian converts from Judaism
;
Secret service
;
Police corruption
;
Jews Social conditions 19th century
Abstract:
Police corruption topped the list of problems faced by the population of the Kingdom of Poland. One of the most corrupt and sadistic officers was the convert Józef Mateusz (formerly Josel Mosiek) Birnbaum, acting in the Warsaw police fore in the 1820s. For years he abused his authority, extorted bribes, tortures suspects and set the real perpetrators free. This was accepted by Birnbaum’s superiors as his victims were predominantly Jews, i.e., people stripped of civil rights. The other reason why Birnbaum could abuse his powers with impunity was that at the same time he was a secret police operative. His career demonstrates the negative consequences of the policies of the rulers of the Kingdom of Poland, who imposed strict controls on the lives of the citizens while discriminating against the Jewish community.
Note:
With an English summary.
URL:
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