Kristallnacht
On November 7, 1938, Hershel Grynszpan, a Polish Jew, shot Ernst vom Rath, a German diplomat, in Paris, France. Rath died from his wounds two days later. The German government used Rath’s death as an excuse to spark a widespread attack on Jews all over Germany that occurred November 9-10 (Dawidowicz, 37). The massive pogrom resulted in death and destruction. Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, is recognized as one of the most devastating examples of anti-Semitism.
Reinhard Heydrich, Director of the Gestapo, sent instructions to all headquarters and stations of State Police in preparation of the intense pogrom. Heydrich permitted the destruction of Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues. His only concern was the safety of the German people. Jewish homes could be burnt down as long as they did not neighbor a German’s home. Heydrich ordered that once the attacks began, as many Jews as possible should be arrested and prepared for transportation to concentration camps (“Riots of Kristallnacht,” 1).
Survivors of Kristallnacht have described the terror that they witnessed. In Dinslaken, Jews were chased out of an orphanage and forced to wait in the cold as a mob destroyed the children’s home. Police refused to help the Jews and even called them “scum.” Jewish synagogues and homes were set on fire under the guidance of the fire brigade in order to preserve the non-Jewish homes nearby. Jewish men under 60, including war veterans that had served in the German Army during the First World War, were beaten, arrested, and sent to the concentration camp at Dachau (Herz, 2).
Reinhard Heydrich, Director of the Gestapo, sent instructions to all headquarters and stations of State Police in preparation of the intense pogrom. Heydrich permitted the destruction of Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues. His only concern was the safety of the German people. Jewish homes could be burnt down as long as they did not neighbor a German’s home. Heydrich ordered that once the attacks began, as many Jews as possible should be arrested and prepared for transportation to concentration camps (“Riots of Kristallnacht,” 1).
Survivors of Kristallnacht have described the terror that they witnessed. In Dinslaken, Jews were chased out of an orphanage and forced to wait in the cold as a mob destroyed the children’s home. Police refused to help the Jews and even called them “scum.” Jewish synagogues and homes were set on fire under the guidance of the fire brigade in order to preserve the non-Jewish homes nearby. Jewish men under 60, including war veterans that had served in the German Army during the First World War, were beaten, arrested, and sent to the concentration camp at Dachau (Herz, 2).
Thousands of synagogues, businesses, and homes were burned and at least 300 people were killed by the end of the disaster. In addition, 30,000 people were arrested and sent to concentration camps. Hitler believed the destruction was a justified punishment for vom Rath’s assassination. The term Kristallnacht was even used to conceal what really took place. Hitler wanted people to focus on the broken glass instead of the more terrible acts that occurred (Margolis, B01). Kristallnacht was an anti-Semitic rampage that devastated families with death and chaos.
Top Image: Jewish Business Destroyed.
Bottom Image: A Burning Synagogue.
Source: Jewish Virtual Library
Top Image: Jewish Business Destroyed.
Bottom Image: A Burning Synagogue.
Source: Jewish Virtual Library