Historical Context
Embedded Files
Jewish people in Germany were wrongfully discriminated against. "The Nazi-led German government gradually excluded Jews from public life, the professions, and public education”. (“From Citizens to Outcasts, 1933-1938”). “Jewish businesses and synagogues were destroyed in the first act of state-sponsored violence against the Jewish community” (“From Citizens to Outcasts, 1933-1983”). When this act was passed the Jewish people of Berlin couldn’t leave their house so it was like they weren’t there since they were never seen outside. But when they did they were criticized and ridiculed for being Jewish. When the Germans tore down their businesses, they were targeting a group of certain people to try to erase the community. The same happened when they earned them from jobs which is the act of antisemitism.
Boycott of Jewish shops, April 1, 1933, anne frank house
On April 1, 1933 in Germany there was a nationwide boycott of Jewish shops. Nazi soldiers and German citizens crowded the streets protesting and ruining shops. The signs have anti-Jewish slogans.
"We will have to carry out a campaign of mental conquest in the world as effective as that which we have carried out in Germany itself" ~ Joseph Goebbels
Firemen work on the burning Reichstag, 27 February 1933, National Archives and Records Administration.
Nazis saw that the fire was an opportunity to take away freedom. "The Reichstag fire occurred, and it provided an excuse for a decree overriding all guarantees of freedom” (“Enabling Act”). When this fire was set the Nazis saw an opportunity to declare emergency freedom to get more power. Therefore after the fire in court Hitler used this as an excuse to take away the citizens freedom.
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