Biologically speaking, we cannot speak of human races, but only of races, but in the contemporary argumentation the concept of race/ethnicity/nation was completely confused. Science was put at the service of ideology and politics proclaiming the superiority of nations, of 'races': representatives of natural science were commissioned to prove that Germans were genetically more noble than Slavs, Hungarians, Gypsies or Jews. The knowledge of German (Aryan) superiority, based on biological 'foundations', confirmed their belief that the subjugation and extermination of the surrounding peoples was justified, and they sought to segregate, re-educate or murder groups (prostitutes, criminals, addicts), the physically and mentally handicapped, who were considered deviant and threatened the existence of the nation.
The theory of the inferiority of the Semitic peoples was formulated as early as the 18th century. In the middle of the 19th century, the French writer Joseph Arthur de Gobineau, in his book On the Causes of Racial Inequality, put the Aryan race in the lead, and the other races in the inferior or dangerous category.
Later, Jews became the main enemy of Nazi thinking, but the Third Reich also persecuted, among others, the Roma, the disabled, homosexuals and all groups - parties, workers' unions, liberal intellectuals and artists - who did not accept the ideology or who outright defied it. The Nazis constantly experimented on people during the Second World War in order to put race theory on a scientific basis. on scientific grounds. They were so successful in dehumanizing Jews, comparing them mostly to rats and parasites, that they made not only Germany but also a part of the civilian population of Europe believe in their ideas.
The theory of the inferiority of the Semitic peoples was formulated as early as the 18th century. In the middle of the 19th century, the French writer Joseph Arthur de Gobineau, in his book On the Causes of Racial Inequality, put the Aryan race in the lead, and the other races in the inferior or dangerous category.
Later, Jews became the main enemy of Nazi thinking, but the Third Reich also persecuted, among others, the Roma, the disabled, homosexuals and all groups - parties, workers' unions, liberal intellectuals and artists - who did not accept the ideology or who outright defied it. The Nazis constantly experimented on people during the Second World War in order to put race theory on a scientific basis. on scientific grounds. They were so successful in dehumanizing Jews, comparing them mostly to rats and parasites, that they made not only Germany but also a part of the civilian population of Europe believe in their ideas.
The capacity of the masses is very limited, their understanding is small and therefore very forgetful. For these reasons, therefore, any effective propaganda must be limited to a few points. These few points and a few theses must be repeated in leading words until the last one understands from these words what we want.
Anti-Judaism, anti-Semitism
Judaism originated in the 2nd millennium BC. It is considered to be the oldest monotheistic religion in the world, meaning that its adherents acknowledge a single God.
Judaism is both an ethnic and religious group. Halachically, according to Jewish religious law, it is inherited from the mother's side, but a converted non-Jew is also considered a full-fledged Jew. Many of the rites of the religion are recognisable in Christian and Muslim traditions, but the religious year, which begins in the autumn and is based on lunar months, the different rituals (for example, circumcision of boys at the age of eight), the prohibitions on eating, the choice of ingredients, the preparation of food, the dress code (men's wearing of hats, women's compulsory use of wigs), made them strikingly different from others.
Followers of a religion with "different" customs have faced much hatred and persecution from the beginning. Because they also hold different beliefs about the coming of the Messiah than Christians (they do not accept Jesus Christ as saviour), this belief has led to widespread superstition and collective blame that they murdered Jesus.
Jews in the Middle Ages usually settled in isolated areas, often not allowed to live in towns or only in designated areas - in some places called ghettos. They had no civil rights, were given collective rights by the local ruler - who had an interest in their presence - so that they could live in peace, manage their own affairs, but could not marry Christians, and were sometimes visibly distinguished from other citizens. They could not own land, and often could only carry out activities that the authorities allowed by the authorities. Christians were forbidden to trade in money at the time, so Jews traded and lent money at interest. The two religions also had different views on lending, so Jews were naturally branded as usurers. People were often accused of ritual murder, of spreading infectious diseases, and the holy Sabbath day gave rise to the stereotype that Jews were lazy because their members did not do anything on that day. Do nothing.
From the end of the 18th century, the Enlightenment sought to reinterpret the world on the basis of human reason, irrespective of religion, and this understanding also held new possibilities for the Jews. There was a glimmer of hope that they could move towards civilisation and emancipation.
They were well established in the capitalist economy, while also seeking to gain political rights through their material influence. However, integration was only apparently successful, and discrimination persisted in modern forms. The Jews were often blamed for the negative consequences of modernising society, perceived as harmful capitalists, liberals or even leftists. The idea of a Jewish world conspiracy also emerged in this period, at the end of the 19th century of the late 19th century.
It is important to be aware of these cultural differences and economic and social developments, because the rise of modern anti-Semitism in Europe was due to envy and prejudice arising from economic inequalities, which were enough to incite hatred and persecution. However, there is a significant difference between anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism. While the term anti-Judaism refers to hostility towards the Jewish religion, anti-Semitism refers to Jews as a 'race'.
Converts to Christianity were accepted in principle by the followers of anti-Judaism, but it usually took several generations and more than average religious activity to gain the recognition of the community. Anti-Semites who view Judaism as a race, on the other hand, argue that with conversion, the harmful tendencies of Jews do not change, but become more hidden. But that did not mean that all anti-Semites thought that all members of an ethnic group should be wiped off the face of the earth.
Gypsy hatred
Gypsies were not considered by the Germans to be a dangerous, world-dominating race. Because of their way of life, the bureaucratising state organisation of the 19th and 20th centuries could not do much with them, and dealt with them through law enforcement and health problems. They were also outside the total control of the Nazi regime, but they were not considered more harmful than other groups considered deviant, and few of them lived in Germany.
After Hitler came to power, all people who strayed were considered gypsies regardless of their origin, so there was no decree dictating who should be considered gypsies. A common accusation against vagrants was that they spread disease, that they were too prolific, that they spied for the Jews, and that they had degenerated and developed criminal tendencies since their arrival from India.
Homophobia
Gays did not fit into the conservative and national socialist notions of the pure race, the family and the importance of having children. In addition, ideologues argued that homosexuals were a threat to public morals, undermining pure morality, and that the 'problem' should be rooted out. The Nazis mainly targeted gay men but later in the war they also persecuted lesbians deported lesbians and sent them to re-education programmes.
all chapters
Remembering the HolocaustHungary
Return and emigrationHungary
LMBTQHungary
History of the HolocaustHungary
Fascist ideologyHungary
The HolocaustHungary
The HolocaustSlovakia
Slovak StateSlovakia
IdeologySlovakia
PersecutionSlovakia
AntisemitismSlovakia
AryanisationSlovakia
PorajmosSlovakia
PorajmosHungary
LGBT minoritySlovakia
First transportSlovakia
DeportationsSlovakia
Life in the campSlovakia
Slovak National UprisingSlovakia
HomecomingSlovakia
EmigrationSlovakia
