Kristallnacht

Definition

Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, refers to a coordinated series of violent anti-Jewish pogroms that took place across Nazi Germany and Austria on November 9-10, 1938. This event marked a significant escalation in the Nazi regime's campaign against Jews, setting the stage for the systematic persecution and the eventual implementation of the Final Solution.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. During Kristallnacht, thousands of Jewish-owned businesses were vandalized and destroyed, and over 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps.
2. The event was sparked by the assassination of a German diplomat by a Jewish teenager, which was used by the Nazis as a pretext to incite violence against Jews.
3. Kristallnacht represented a turning point in Nazi anti-Jewish policy, transitioning from social discrimination to open violence and terror.
4. The pogrom resulted in significant international condemnation but did not lead to any serious intervention against Nazi Germany at that time.
5. Following Kristallnacht, many Jews sought to flee Germany, but strict immigration quotas and anti-Semitic policies in other countries made escape difficult.

Review Questions

• How did Kristallnacht symbolize a shift in Nazi policy towards Jews in Germany?
  • Kristallnacht marked a crucial turning point in Nazi policy, as it transitioned from legal discrimination to outright violence against Jews. Prior to this event, the Nazis had implemented laws like the Nuremberg Laws to marginalize Jews socially and politically. However, Kristallnacht showcased a brutal public display of aggression that emboldened further violence and set the stage for more systematic persecution leading up to the Final Solution.
• Discuss the immediate consequences of Kristallnacht on the Jewish community in Germany.
  • The immediate aftermath of Kristallnacht was devastating for the Jewish community in Germany. Over 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps without due process. Additionally, thousands of businesses owned by Jews were destroyed, leading to severe economic repercussions. This event instilled a deep sense of fear among Jews, prompting many to seek refuge outside Germany, although they faced numerous barriers to escape.
• Evaluate how Kristallnacht influenced international perceptions and responses toward the Nazi regime during the late 1930s.
  • Kristallnacht significantly affected international perceptions of the Nazi regime by revealing its willingness to resort to extreme violence against its own citizens based on ethnicity. Although there was widespread condemnation from various countries and organizations, it did not result in significant action against Nazi Germany. Many nations remained focused on their own political and economic issues or adopted isolationist policies. The lack of decisive action after Kristallnacht highlighted the limitations of international response to early signs of genocidal intent, ultimately contributing to the unchecked escalation that led to the Holocaust.

Related terms

Nuremberg Laws:

A set of laws enacted in 1935 that stripped Jews of German citizenship and imposed severe restrictions on their rights and freedoms.

Gestapo:

The secret police of Nazi Germany, known for its brutal methods of surveillance and intimidation against those considered enemies of the state, especially Jews.

Final Solution:

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