Language:
English
Year of publication:
1989
Titel der Quelle:
Binah; Studies in Jewish History, Thought and Culture
Angaben zur Quelle:
1 (1989) 143-158
Keywords:
Maria Theresa,
;
Wertheimer, Wolf
;
Jews History 18th century
;
Jews
;
Jews
Abstract:
Describes events in December 1744-May 1745, during the War of the Austrian Succession. When Prague was occupied by Prussia in the summer of 1744, certain acts were interpreted as Prussian favoritism toward the Jews (e.g. intervention to stop a pogrom). Rumors of Jewish collaboration with the Prussians reached Vienna. Upon the Prussians' withdrawal in November, pogroms broke out again. On December 18, the Empress Maria Theresa, motivated by animosity toward the Jews, ordered the expulsion of Prague's Jews by the end of January 1745, and all of Bohemia's Jews by the end of June. The Jews of Moravia were added to the decree in January. The leaders of Prague Jewry appealed to Jewish communities throughout Europe for help. Notes their quick reaction, particularly the efforts of Wolf Wertheimer, financier and court Jew, then residing in Augsburg. Protests were sent by the kings of England and Denmark, the Dutch parliament, and the pope, among others. The Empress postponed the expulsion until the end of March, by which time all the Jews of Prague had left the city. But on May 15 she postponed the expulsion from Bohemia and Moravia. Posits that this volte-face occurred due to peace negotiations between Austria and Bavaria then under way in Augsburg, where Wertheimer may have used the opportunity to plead the Jews' cause. The Jews of Prague returned in the summer of 1748.
Note:
Appeared in Hebrew in "Zion" 28, 1963.
URL:
Locate this publication in Israeli libraries
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