The Socialist Response to Antisemitism in Imperial Germany [Hardcover]

This book presents a radical reinterpretation of the Socialist response to antisemitism in Imperial Germany.By focusing on the many notions that antisemites and anti-antisemites in fact shared and introducing a range of new sources, this book presents a radical reinterpretation of the Socialist response to antisemitism in Imperial Germany.By focusing on the many notions that antisemites and anti-antisemites in fact shared and introducing a range of new sources, this book presents a radical reinterpretation of the Socialist response to antisemitism in Imperial Germany.In Imperial Germany (1871-1918), most Socialists felt that the antisemites had a point but took matters too far. In fact, Social Democratic objections to the antisemitic movement often did not hinge on its anti-Jewish orientation at all. Even when they did, the Socialists' arguments generally acknowledged widespread anti-Jewish stereotypes rather than questioning them. By focusing on the many notions that antisemites and anti-antisemites in fact shared, and by introducing a range of new sources, this book presents a radical reinterpretation of the Socialist response to antisemitism in Imperial Germany.Introduction; 1. Social democracy's stance on antisemitism and the spectre of 'philosemitism'; 2, The influence of 'Zur Judenfrage' on the Socialist movement; 3. The Socialist uses and abuses of 'Zur Judenfrage'; 4. The social democratic party congress of 1903 and the case of Hans Leuss; 5. The former antisemite Leuss on antisemitism and 'the Jewish Question'; 6. Antisemitism and 'the Jewish Question' in Dresden; 7. The evolution of Bernstein's stance on antisemitism and 'the Jewish Question'; Conclusion. Fischer here brings a sharp and unrelenting gaze to the classic texts that define the Jewish Question for German socialists. His meticulous analysis leaves little doubt in the reader that they were much more a part of the problem than a part of the solution.
-Professor Richard S. Levy, Departmentl³*