British antisemitism in the Second World War
This thesis examines both antisemitism and Jewish- Gentile relations in Britain during the Second World War. It argues that although hostility to Jews has rarely become violent, antisemitism has still made a strong impact on Anglo-Jewry and the whole of British society. Firstly, the thesis outlines a tradition of organized antisemitism which managed to survive the war and also helped to increase 'Jew-consciousness' in Britain. Secondly, it shows how hostile stereotypes of Jews continued, despite the close contact of Jews and Gentiles in the conflict, and the sympathy created by the plight of European Jewry. Thirdly, it analyses tensions caused by shortages of goods as well as other domestic problems that arose during the war and which led to Jews becoming scapegoats. Finally, the thesis suggests that antisemitism has not been alien to the British experience, and can indeed become respectable in times of crisis, as was the case with the internment panic in the summer of 1940. The basic difference between British antisemitism in the war and that of Germany or France was the role of the state. The thesis illustrates how the British government, in principle, was opposed to antisemitism, but that this did not mean
Kushner, Antony Robin Jeremy
Jews
British antisemitism in the Second World War. This thesis examines both antisemitism and Jewish- Gentile relations in Britain during the Second World War. It argues that although hostility to Jews has rarely become violent, antisemitism has still made a strong impact on Anglo-Jewry and the whole of British society. Firstly, the thesis outlines a tradition of organized antisemitism which managed to survive the war and also helped to increase 'Jew-consciousness' in Britain. Secondly, it shows how hostile stereotypes of Jews continued, despite the close contact of Jews and Gentiles in the conflict, and the sympathy created by the plight of European Jewry. Thirdly, it analyses tensions caused by shortages of goods as well as other domestic problems that arose during the war and which led to Jews becoming scapegoats. Finally, the thesis suggests that antisemitism has not been alien to the British experience, and can indeed become respectable in times of crisis, as was the case with the internment panic in the summer of 1940. The basic difference between British antisemitism in the war and that of Germany or France was the role of the state. The thesis illustrates how the British government, in principle, was opposed to antisemitism, but that this did not mean
british second_world_war examine jewish gentile relation britain second_world_war argue_although hostility jews rarely become violent still make_strong impact anglo_jewry whole british_society firstly outline tradition organize manage survive war also help increase jew consciousness britain secondly show hostile stereotype jews continue despite close contact jews gentiles conflict sympathy create plight european thirdly analyse tension cause shortage good well domestic problem_arise war lead jews become finally suggest alien british experience indeed become respectable time_crisis case internment panic basic difference british war germany france role_state illustrates british_government principle oppose mean