This Day in History: 15 September 2020
15 September 1935
85 years ago, today, the Nuremberg race laws were imposed in Nazi Germany, stripping German Jews of their citizenship, thus reducing them to 'subjects' of the state. These laws became embedded in the German culture by government legislation, and so were much more radical than other Jewish discriminatory practises that were already in place. Jews were forbidden to marry 'Aryans' or engage in extramarital relations with them. Female Aryan servants under the age of 35 could also not be employed by a Jew. Buying food was now difficult for Jewish customers, as groceries, bakeries and dairies would not admit them.
Within the first year of Hitler's dictatorship, German Jews were already excluded from a range of offices and locations, such as journalism, radio, theatre and film. 'Jews Not Welcome' signs were also frequently seen on shop and hotel windows, as well as other public arenas. Although the Nuremberg Laws had a crippling economic and social impact on the Jewish community, the average German felt renewed hope and pride in their economy. Even most foreign and political leaders were tricked into thinking this was merely just a phase, and that Hitler, in the words of British Prime Minister Lloyd George, was a 'great man'.
Want to find out more about the Nuremberg Laws? Click here for more information, or here for more about the life of Jews in pre-war Germany.
No comments:
Post a Comment