key term - Kristallnacht: The Night of Broken Glass

Definition

Kristallnacht, also known as the Night of Broken Glass, refers to the violent pogrom against Jews in Nazi Germany on November 9-10, 1938. This event marked a significant escalation in the Nazi regime's anti-Semitic policies and acts of violence, leading to widespread destruction of Jewish properties, synagogues, and businesses across Germany and Austria. The aftermath of Kristallnacht represented a crucial turning point, as it foreshadowed the more systematic and brutal measures that would lead to the Holocaust.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Kristallnacht was sparked by the assassination of a German diplomat in Paris by a Jewish teenager, which was used by the Nazis as a pretext to launch the attacks.
2. During Kristallnacht, approximately 7,500 Jewish-owned businesses were vandalized or destroyed, and around 1,400 synagogues were set on fire.
3. Around 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps following the violence, marking one of the first mass arrests of Jews under Nazi rule.
4. The name 'Night of Broken Glass' comes from the shards of glass that littered the streets after windows were smashed during the attacks.
5. Kristallnacht signaled a shift from economic persecution to outright physical violence against Jews, setting the stage for the more horrific events of the Holocaust.

Review Questions

• How did Kristallnacht serve as a turning point in Nazi Germany's treatment of Jews?
  • Kristallnacht marked a critical shift from discriminatory laws and social ostracism to organized violence against Jews. Prior to this event, anti-Semitic measures included economic boycotts and legal restrictions like the Nuremberg Laws. After Kristallnacht, it became clear that the Nazis were willing to employ brutal violence as a means of instilling fear and further marginalizing Jewish communities, laying the groundwork for the more systematic persecution during the Holocaust.
• Discuss the implications of Kristallnacht on the international community's response to Nazi Germany.
  • The events of Kristallnacht shocked many in the international community and drew widespread condemnation. However, despite outrage, countries largely failed to take meaningful action against Nazi Germany. The lack of intervention highlighted a troubling trend of complacency regarding rising anti-Semitism and aggression in Europe. As a result, Kristallnacht underscored both the severity of the situation for Jews in Germany and the broader failure to recognize and address the threat posed by Hitler's regime.
• Evaluate how Kristallnacht influenced Jewish migration patterns before World War II escalated.
  • In the wake of Kristallnacht, many Jews realized that their safety in Germany was increasingly compromised and sought to flee. This event catalyzed a surge in Jewish emigration, with thousands attempting to escape to countries like the United States, Britain, and Palestine. Unfortunately, restrictive immigration policies made it difficult for many to find refuge. Kristallnacht thus not only highlighted the dangers faced by Jews but also foreshadowed the desperate efforts they would make to survive as World War II loomed on the horizon.

Related terms

Nuremberg Laws:

A set of racist laws enacted in 1935 that stripped Jews of their citizenship and rights in Nazi Germany.

Pogrom: An organized massacre or violent attack against a particular ethnic or religious group, commonly used in reference to anti-Jewish violence.

Holocaust:

The systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators during World War II.