Section 7 - Anti-Semitism

What is anti-Semitism?

Hostility, prejudice, or discrimination against Jewish people.

Why were Jews disliked in the ancient world?

Because they were monotheistic in a polytheistic society.

Why did Christians historically persecute Jews?

They blamed Jews for the death of Jesus Christ.

How have Jews been used as scapegoats in history?

They were blamed for social, political, and economic problems across centuries.

What is the Holocaust (Shoah)?

The systematic genocide of Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II.

Why did Hitler target Jewish people?

He believed Jews were an inferior race and blamed them for Germany’s defeat in WWI and economic issues.

How many Jews were murdered in the Holocaust?

Approximately 6 million.

How much did the Jewish population of Europe decline during the Holocaust?

From 9.5 million to about 1.6 million.

What forms of persecution did Jews face under Nazi rule?

Imprisonment, starvation, forced labour, torture, medical experimentation, and mass murder.

Why is the Holocaust considered the largest genocide in history?

Because of its scale, industrialized killing, and systematic nature.

What did many Jews emphasize after the Holocaust?

Preserving life, rebuilding communities, and cultural survival.

What is Zionism?

A movement advocating for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in the Land of Israel.

Why did Zionism grow stronger in the late 1800s?

Rising European anti-Semitism and national identity movements.

How did the Holocaust influence Zionism?

It highlighted the urgent need for a safe Jewish homeland.

What is the central goal of Zionism?

The creation, defense, and continuation of a Jewish state (modern Israel).

What historical connection does Zionism rely on?

Jewish ancestral ties to the Land of Israel/Canaan.