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November Pogroms: A Night of Destruction
The November 1938 pogroms in Nazi Germany involved widespread violence and destruction against Jews, marked by a lack of international response.
English
Germany
Human Rights ViolationsGermany ViolenceAntisemitismWorld War IiNazismPersecution
Nazi PartyGerman Historical MuseumJewish Museum BerlinUs TreasuryBrazilian Embassy
W. Michael BlumenthalHerschel GrynszpanErnst Vom RathJoseph GoebbelsHitler
- What were the main causes of the November Pogroms?
- The November Pogroms, also known as Reichspogromnacht, occurred on November 9, 1938, due to a pretext created by the assassination of a German diplomat by a Jewish teenager. Hitler used this event to orchestrate a nationwide pogrom against Jews, ordering the destruction of synagogues and businesses.
- How did the world react to the events of the November Pogroms?
- The international response to the November Pogroms was weak, with diplomats reporting the events but taking little concrete action. While some programs like the Kindertransport emerged, the overall reaction was insufficient to prevent the escalating persecution of Jews.
- What level of destruction occurred during the November Pogroms?
- Approximately 1,300 synagogues and 7,500 Jewish businesses were destroyed during the November Pogroms. Countless Jewish cemeteries and schools were also vandalized, and thousands of Jewish men were sent to concentration camps.
- What was the role of German authorities in the November Pogroms?
- The police and fire departments largely stood by as synagogues burned and Jews were attacked, indicating complicity in the pogrom. While some Germans expressed shame, many others passively observed the violence or participated actively.
- What is the significance of W. Michael Blumenthal's personal account?
- W. Michael Blumenthal's personal account illustrates the terror and devastation of the November Pogroms. His family's experience reflects the widespread persecution and the desperate flight of many Jews to escape Nazi Germany.