Language:
German
Year of publication:
1991
Titel der Quelle:
Tel Aviver Jahrbuch für Deutsche Geschichte
Angaben zur Quelle:
20 (1991) 59-75
Keywords:
Zimmermann, Friedrich-Albert,
;
König, Anton Balthasar,
;
Jews Historiography
;
Jews History 18th century
;
Historians History 18th century
Abstract:
Discusses two works on the history of German Jewry written by German proponents of the Enlightenment: Friedrich Albert Zimmermann on Jews in Silesia (1791) and Anton Balthasar König on the Jews in Brandenburg (1790). Earlier historians, such as J.A. Würfel in his history of the Jews of Fürth (1754), denounced Jewish economic exploitation and hatred of Christians. In contrast, later writers understood that the Jews' "objectionable" characteristics, including their stubborn adherence to talmudic law which obstructs their integration in society, were the result of fanatic Christian persecution. König also cites economic factors. However, they argue that emancipation can take place only when Jews, as well as Christians, adopt a more enlightened attitude. Zimmermann helped draw up the regulations of 1790 for Jews in Silesia, which in spite of their declared liberal intent were in fact quite conservative. In his history he abstained from criticizing the anti-Jewish policies of 18th-century Prussian rulers.
URL:
Locate this publication in Israeli libraries
