key term - Kristallnacht

Definition

Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, refers to a series of coordinated attacks against Jews throughout Nazi Germany and Austria on November 9-10, 1938. This event marked a significant escalation in the Nazi regime's anti-Semitic campaign, transitioning from economic and social discrimination to violent physical assaults against Jewish people and their properties. It serves as a critical moment in the lead-up to the Holocaust, showcasing the growing brutality of the Nazis and foreshadowing the systematic persecution that would follow.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. During Kristallnacht, over 7,000 Jewish-owned businesses were vandalized or destroyed, and more than 1,000 synagogues were set on fire.
2. Approximately 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps following the attacks.
3. The name 'Kristallnacht' comes from the shards of broken glass that littered the streets after the violence.
4. This event is often seen as the beginning of open violence against Jews, marking a turning point in Nazi policies from discrimination to outright aggression.
5. Kristallnacht led to increased international awareness of Nazi atrocities, yet many countries failed to take effective action to assist Jewish refugees.

Review Questions

• How did Kristallnacht represent a shift in Nazi policy towards Jews and what implications did it have for future actions against them?
  • Kristallnacht marked a crucial turning point in Nazi policy, moving from economic boycotts and social discrimination to direct physical violence against Jews. This escalation indicated that the Nazis were willing to use brutal tactics openly, signaling a departure from previously less violent measures. The implications were profound, as it foreshadowed the systematic violence and persecution that would become central to the Holocaust, making clear that Jews were no longer safe in Germany.
• Analyze the role of Kristallnacht in shaping public perception both within Germany and internationally regarding the treatment of Jews under the Nazi regime.
  • Kristallnacht had a significant impact on public perception about the treatment of Jews. Within Germany, it instilled fear among Jewish communities and served as a warning of what was to come. Internationally, while many were horrified by the brutality displayed, responses varied widely; some countries began to increase their immigration quotas for Jewish refugees, whereas others chose to ignore these events. This event highlighted the moral failings of many nations in addressing or intervening against such blatant acts of anti-Semitism.
• Evaluate how Kristallnacht influenced subsequent policies and actions taken by Nazi Germany in its approach to Jews leading up to World War II.
  • Kristallnacht significantly influenced subsequent Nazi policies by setting a precedent for more aggressive anti-Jewish measures. Following this violent episode, the Nazis intensified their efforts towards isolating and removing Jews from German society. This included further implementation of discriminatory laws like those established by the Nuremberg Laws and ultimately laid groundwork for the horrors of the Final Solution. The severity of Kristallnacht illustrated that the regime's anti-Semitic policies would escalate into systemic violence, paving the way for genocide during the Holocaust.

Related terms

Nuremberg Laws:

Racist laws enacted in 1935 that stripped Jews of German citizenship and prohibited marriage between Jews and non-Jewish Germans.

Ghettos: Segregated neighborhoods where Jews were forced to live under deplorable conditions during the Holocaust.

Final Solution:

The Nazi plan for the systematic extermination of the Jewish people, which culminated in the Holocaust.