The History & Application of Antisemitism in Europe & the U.S.. Part One: Introduction.
As levels of antisemitism rise once again in the West, it worth considering where the roots of Jewish persecution lie, what makes us continually susceptible to its message, & how different societies have used this racist narrative to their advantage or detriment.
“Antisemitism, a secular nineteenth century ideology — which in name, though not in argument, was unknown before the 1870’s — and religious Jew-hatred, inspired by the mutually hostile antagonism of two conflicting creeds, are obviously not the same; and even the extent to which the former derives its arguments and emotional appeal from the latter si open to question. The notion of an unbroken continuity of persecution, expulsions and massacres from the end of the Roman Empire to the Middle Ages, the modern era, and down to our time, frequently embellished by the idea that modern antisemitism is no more than a secularised version of popular medieval superstitions, is no less fallacious (though of course less michievous) than the corresponding antisemitic notion of a Jewish secret society that has ruled, or aspired to rule, the world since antiquity.”
