Lecture Outline 2005: The Jewish World Conspiracy Myth

History 2420-2
October 2005

The Jewish World Conspiracy Myth

Origins of Antisemitism

In competition with Judaism, early Christian leaders blamed Jews as a group for the murder of Jesus & labelled them sons of Satan, followers of the Anti-Christ.

European Catholics taught that Jews were Christ-killers. In medieval times, stories spread that Jews ritually murdered Christian children, worshipped the devil, used black magic, & actively sought to destroy Christianity.

One of few groups spread throughout world, with links among Jewish communities, but no home country.

Barred from most trades & limited in where they could live, Jews lived together in urban neighborhoods & took up Christian-despised occupations (moneylending, shopkeeping). Many became entrepreneurs & some got rich.

In self-fulfilling fashion, Jews got reputation as wealthy, greedy “Shylocks,” con men, cutthroat businessmen who exploited non-Jews & had no loyalty except $.

“International bankers” as Antisemitic code word, based on Rothschild family.

Because their communities were clustered in major cities and capitals, Jews were often thought to have great behind-the-scenes political influence (even in countries that allowed Jews no rights!).

The Transformation of Antisemitism in the 19th-Century

Added to other myths was the Jewish World Conspiracy, idea that a secret Jewish government existed controlling banks, press, etc., & planned world domination.

European conspiracy theorists linked Jews to Illuminati & Masonic conspiracies.

Jews blamed by those who hated 19th-century economic & social changes

	Jews gained rights from political liberalization & so held responsible for revolutions.
	Traditional reputation as financiers & entrepreneurs made it easy to blame Jews for hardships brought by industrialization, including poverty & economic crashes.

Political antisemitism: Aristocrats, monarchs, & right-wing often blamed Jews to keep masses on their side. Ultra-nationalists attacked them as foreign influence.

The rise of the “pogrom”: organized mob attacks on or massacres of Jews, typically condoned, encouraged, or fomented by governments.

	100,000s displaced or killed in Russia after assassination of tsar in 1881, failed revolution in 1905, during civil war following the Russian Revolution of 1917.
	Pogroms led to emigration of Russian Jews to US.

“Proof” of the Jewish conspiracy: The Protocols of the Elders of Zion

	Claimed to be minutes of a meeting in which Jewish leaders plan world conquest.
	Based on an 1868 novel & miscellaneous other materials, pasted together by Russian secret service agents in the 1890s.
	Published in Russia, Germany, & throughout the world, early 1900s on, justifying pogroms, expulsion, restrictions on Jewish rights, & the Nazi Holocaust.

Antisemitism in America

Always existed but never bad until large-scale Jewish immigration after 1890.

Jews harshly treated by Catholic immigrant groups, especially Irish cops.

Picked up on rhetorically by rural radical movements such as the Populists.

Composed of farmers who felt abused by capitalist system, especially banks & railroads. Hurt by arid lands and low farm prices. Jews as symbols of international financial interests.

One issue was the “Crime of ‘73,” government’s decision to stop making silver coins and return to the gold standard to hold down credit & inflation.

	Came to be partly blamed on a “gold conspiracy” involving Jewish bankers.
	Farmers became convinced that silver coinage would expand credit & raise farm prices.

Silver became main issue in 1896 campaign. “Cross of Gold” speech, most famous statement of Democratic/Populist candidate Bryan, had antisemitic overtones.

WASP elite discovered a “Jewish problem” in early 20th century.

Fears that Jews were too intelligent, cunning, hard-working, ambitious, to the point that WASPs could not compete.

	Muckrakers warned of the dangers of the “Jewish invasion.”
	“Blackballing” of wealthy Jews from elite clubs & neighborhoods.
	Discrimination against Jews in universities & professions.

In 1920s, Henry Ford owned Dearborn Independent, newspaper that published the “Protocols” & more. Then Ford wrote The International Jew, blaming Jewish conspiracy for declining morals of youth. Ford & his book became a favorite of Hitler & Nazis.

	Economic hardship and antisemitism: Father Charles Coughlin among working-class Catholics during Great Depression, Nation of Islam among blacks.
	In 1930s & 40s, US gov. & press ignored evidence of Holocaust & some Americans and Europeans today claim that it was all hoax organized by the Jewish World Conspiracy