Language:
German
Year of publication:
2012
Titel der Quelle:
Jahrbuch für Antisemitismusforschung
Angaben zur Quelle:
21 (2012) 268-293
Keywords:
Bismarck, Johanna von,
;
Hoyos, Marguerite
;
Women
;
Antisemitism
;
Antisemitism History 1800-2000
Abstract:
Discusses the antisemitism of Bismarck's wife, Johanna (1824-1894), and their daughter-in-law, Marguerite Hoyos (1871-1945), as expressed in their diaries and letters. Johanna's anti-Jewish prejudice was based on the belief that Christianity and Judaism were antagonistic, a belief prevalent among the ultra-conservative, traditional, pietistic milieu of the gentry among whom she was raised. In this milieu, the nobility held the highest position and the Jews the lowest. For Johanna, the Jews constituted an object of hatred, and she often projected her aggressions and frustrations on them. Hoyos, who was born two generations later in Vienna, was even more class-conscious than her mother-in-law, and her antisemitism was more modern, complex, and acute. It was influenced by her Austro-Hungarian milieu and characterized by disgust and disdain, feelings which strengthened the distance she felt from the Jews, despite their legal equality. Her reactions to Hitler's anti-Jewish measures included fear of Jewish conspiracies, but also doubts, insecurity, and ambivalence. Nevertheless, she ended up justifying these measures. Concludes that Johanna's anti-Jewish "loyal aggression", anger, and mockery served to boost the stability of her group and its noble superiority. Marguerite's expressions of disgust served the same purpose, while allowing her to emphasize distinction and etiquette.
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