Language:
English
Year of publication:
1989
Titel der Quelle:
Cross Currents; a Yearbook of Central European Culture
Angaben zur Quelle:
8 (1989) 243-260
Keywords:
Hilsner, Leopold,
;
Masaryk, T. G.
;
Antisemitism History 1800-2000
;
Jews History 1800-2000
;
Blood accusation
Abstract:
Describes the activities of the Czech politician, scholar, and journalist prior to 1914, focusing on his action in defense of Leopold Hilsner, a Jew condemned to death on a blood libel charge of murder of a Christian girl, Anezka Hruzova, in Polna (Bohemia) in 1899. Describes Masaryk's struggle for a retrial and his press campaign against the ritual murder myth and against Church leaders, intellectuals, and journalists who adopted antisemitic prejudices. A retrial took place in 1900, but the verdict was upheld. The death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by Emperor Franz Josef. (Hilsner was pardoned in 1917, but was never cleared of the verdict of guilt.) Masaryk's attitude provoked a violent antisemitic press campaign and protests even in his own university. Notes that antisemitism among Czech nationalists was partially provoked by pro-German attitudes and Austrian loyalties of Bohemian Jewry.
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