Jews under Weimar (1918-1933)
Sam Aronow
The video explores the dynamic and complex situation of Jewish communities in Germany during the Weimar Republic from 1918 to 1933. As Germany transitioned into a democratic state post-World War I, Jews found themselves navigating a society undergoing massive political, economic, and social changes. The Weimar period was marked by significant events such as the Treaty of Versailles, hyperinflation, and the rise of Nazism, all influencing the status and treatment of Jews. While some Jews reached prominent positions in the arts, science, and politics, they were also targets of the burgeoning antisemitic propaganda, notably influenced by myths like the "stab-in-the-back" and events such as the assassination of the Jewish foreign minister Walther Rathenau. The video examines these contradictions and highlights how they set the stage for the intense antisemitism of the Nazi period.