Kristallnacht

Definition

Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, refers to the violent anti-Jewish pogrom that took place on November 9-10, 1938, across Nazi Germany and Austria. This event marked a significant escalation in the Nazi regime's campaign against Jews, characterized by widespread vandalism of Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues, resulting in thousands of arrests and the beginning of more systematic persecution leading up to the Holocaust.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Kristallnacht was instigated after the assassination of a German diplomat by a Jewish teenager, which was used as a pretext for the violence.
2. During Kristallnacht, approximately 7,500 Jewish businesses were vandalized or destroyed, along with hundreds of synagogues set ablaze.
3. The event resulted in the arrest of around 30,000 Jewish men who were sent to concentration camps, marking a significant shift towards more aggressive forms of persecution.
4. Kristallnacht is often seen as the turning point from social discrimination against Jews in Germany to open violence and state-sponsored terror.
5. The aftermath led to increased emigration efforts among Jewish communities as they realized that remaining in Germany was increasingly dangerous.

Review Questions

• How did Kristallnacht change the nature of anti-Jewish policies in Nazi Germany?
  • Kristallnacht marked a crucial turning point in Nazi anti-Jewish policies as it transitioned from legal discrimination and social exclusion to outright violence. The pogrom served as a clear signal that the regime was willing to use state-sponsored terror to achieve its goals against Jews. Following this event, systemic measures were implemented that escalated into the Holocaust, fundamentally altering the trajectory of Jewish life in Germany.
• Discuss the significance of Kristallnacht in understanding the broader context of the Holocaust and World War II.
  • Kristallnacht is significant because it represents a watershed moment that foreshadowed the Holocaust. The violence and destruction during this event illustrated how deeply ingrained anti-Semitic sentiments had become in Nazi ideology. It also demonstrated the willingness of ordinary citizens and state apparatus to partake in brutal acts against Jews, setting a dangerous precedent for the atrocities that would follow during World War II.
• Evaluate the international response to Kristallnacht and its implications for Jewish communities facing persecution in Nazi Germany.
  • The international response to Kristallnacht was largely muted, with many countries condemning the violence but failing to take substantial action or offer refuge to those fleeing persecution. This lack of decisive action highlighted a troubling indifference towards the plight of Jews under Nazi rule. The failure to act reinforced the isolation experienced by Jewish communities and contributed to a sense of hopelessness as they faced escalating violence and discrimination leading up to the Holocaust.

Related terms

Nazi Party:

The political party led by Adolf Hitler that ruled Germany from 1933 to 1945, promoting a fascist agenda based on extreme nationalism, anti-Semitism, and Aryan supremacy.

Holocaust:

The genocide during World War II in which six million Jews were systematically exterminated by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.

Ghettos:

Enclosed districts in cities where Jews were forced to live under oppressive conditions during the Nazi regime, often leading to overcrowding and starvation.