THE FIRST WAVE OF RACIAL ANTI- CHAPTER VI tators discloses someThe rather analysis unexpected of German and anti-Semitic puzzling facts. literature, The most movements, and agi- SEMITISM dents,kindofifimplacable notthe of hostile,industrial"educated" anti-Semitism enemies to andthe rather ofchurchcommercial wasthe than Jewsspread rather the were employees, "ignorant"throughoutthan urban devout rather petty classes.Germany Christians, thanofficials, The rural; by mostandteachers, professional indifferent, members virulent stu- narrow-mindedthe"backmovements,"people, peasants to and nature" followers or whole-rye thethough builders land-owning of they cultsbreadof bodymight of dietitians, every aristocracyand have soul. variety: been, opponents From or came members the these reactionarytheof groups,vivisection, fanatical of "life not clergy,reform haters from and economicanant;annoyance,of Jews.economic to the functionone as evil. the the JewishBut JewToof theJewsthe appeared cattle antagonismconservative within dealer as the a ofpoliticaland sphere Junker both middleman wasof thedanger, agriculture circumscribed.liberal was to or theto radicalhad the other peas-to beJewas was a source of The thecompeteproductsfertilizersaccepted cities, asbroughtwith hadof necessary_resentment trading, tothe be toagrarian boughtthe banking, villages. producer.and and sold, Jews or industry, no creditsThey engaged resentment. appeared negotiatedbut in still, these Cattle, asfor andfieldsthe a longgrain, industrialagents did time, andnot of picture.andJewishanimositythey mutual were middlemen Insecurity toundoubtedly dependency some extentand Theand farmers, developedwasurbaninstability part not ofsector entirelyyet the from werean agrarianof awarenessthe lacking.the the old clash community.dominant and ofof new commoninterests Mitteistandnotes Friction interestsbetween of their and presented a different newbersexistence. occupationsof the Taking lower which advantagemiddle had classes onlyof easier avigorously limited access absorptive to pushed higher their capacity.education, way Compe-up mem- into 75 tition76 was bitterly intense and the competitors were frequently Jewish. REHEARSAL FOR DESTRUCTION tureschoolrentwereThat of complaintsaspirantsparticularly pupilsthe struggle and from about sensitive university precludedthe the lower disproportionatelyto students,this middlecompromise. fact classes,is lawyers, testified Baptism unsurehigh and to by ratiophysicians. andof numerous, their of other Jewish prospects, symbols The recur- high na- petitionandseemedtunityof assimilation adjustments in towere a impoverish limited such could Jews thatfield themightnot many whereprospects be be permitted participants willing the of candidacy all to to themake, establishfelt others. thatof the every no Whateverexigenciesequality individual new of sacrificesclaimant of oppor- com-merit anders,schooltoshould eliminate judges,politicians, andenable university lawyers, them Jews were altogether.to journalists,graduates, atgain variance access Thewho physicians, withto spheresinterestscoveted the old-fashioned from jobsengineers, of pettyandwhich positions bourgeois administrators,it notion was desirableas that teach- high re- anchoredthenessligious attitude established conversion in ofhis a nationalism, Treitschkecivil and equality.To political gauge or but Stoecker. this reliability,the nationalismdepth Treitschke's ofhonesty, this was antagonism and stillanti-Semitism public-minded-related it to is some wellwas to compare it with hadarchy.feltconsequence,stateof the thatbrought was traditionalHe they thebelieved remainedaboutTreitschkemost values thatworthy the they aloof ofReich.thought Western objectwere from The thatundermining of the civilization. frameJewsan state individual's were ofand thereference dangerous Forthe heroic Protestanthimdevotion.1 idealism theof because thisnational mon- As antithat he a assertionintegrationItunitySemitism held and out whosewasliberty, toif theJewsthey passionate authoritarianconffict wouldthe possibility between advocatebut decision side the Treitschkewithof state andcomplete the andparliamentary forces hadthe national individual,become. of national compromise. and As between hesocial self- saw stitutetionmostnotit, a only goodlaw duty—and "an was Cerrnan act unacceptableassimilation of theirobvious was salvation. assessed injustice,possible, to Treitschke; by The hisabut ideabreak individual it was this,of with revoking actually he the beliefsargued, fine the andtraditions wouldJews'emancipa- conduct; fore- con- of insteadLikeconflictsour state, Treitschke, he that whichfavored plague Stoecker would discriminationus."2To a sharpen didlesser not degree, wantasrather an legal Stoecker'sadministrative than emancipation mitigate position policy.3 the involvedrescinded; national Bona similar considerations. fide baptism was to assure complete equality between converted Jews THE FIRST WAVE OF RACIAL ANTI-SEMITISM 77 tremists.church,conservative"Jewishandand Christians. is spirit."and not"I have rule-by-lawalso Protestantism HeNo nomotivated wasracism use too forinherent underlaydeeply notaby movement ato committeddeepin beStoecker's the aware love racial that of toof violent isphilosophythe the merely ethicalGospel," dangers rejection anti-Jewish concepts of tohe the ofstate, said ex-the of in nothoughtGod.alism,1881, longer "If inhe a can anone did addressbecome makesnot want to dark;an German toidol rendertoday, out students.4 ofinunto themany Caesar worldly aHowever mind without fatherland, an ardentidea rendering of his fatherlandif therenation- unto is heavenly fatherland beyond the worldly one, even patriotic turnedittemperedduringand attacked state againstthe prevails by Christianitylast Christian the decades which ConservativesRacial or does hardly conservativeof anti-Semitism, notthe less servenineteenth with violently theconsiderations. the light."5 however, battle century, than cry Judaism which "against Onwas the gainedno and contrary, Junkerslonger often strength in Germany reign"childvestigeand Jews." in of ofthe Jewish "Jewishness" Somefinal analysisreligion ofOf its course, extreme byimpliedand destroying Platonism, Christian spokesmen the "Ver/udung with Socialborn wanted it out the criticism of of Christian humanity."6to wedlock," eradicate of Jews religion, whose every had fertilized the soil of rowdyStoecker's"plebeian"foranti-Semitism racial anti-Semites anti-Semitism. friendagitation preached and would of biographer a HenriciWithoutby hardly the Court Oertzenwouldhave the "moderate," appearedChaplain have concedes been had the respectablethatunthinkable. notinflammatory, "the Stoecker racial variety Even pre- and racialonlythereJews'viously look wasanti-Semitesinister started littleat the role difference his authoritative Theodor in fight the economy against ofFritsch opinion catalogue Berlin'scompiled and between in of theJewry."T inJewish theAntisemiten-Katechismus8cultural two misdeeds With schools. life regardof the whichOne nation, to need the ingUnderto see charges thethe numerousheading, were listed: "What points areof 1.agreement the Jews Jews engage really between in usuriousguilty him of'? dealings the follow- with peasants, artisans, and Stoecker. officials and 3.2. They ruin handicraft and causemitmake formerlyTheirofficers. to itwage theirsharp independent slavery. prey. business practices artisans tolead to the decline of honest trade sub-and 78 4. They force wages and prices downconstantlycan hardly to a grows.level exist where any longer honest and labor the threat of a bloody revolution REHEARSAL FOR DESTRUCTION 6.5. They have a monopoly of thewrong pressTheyas to targetsand thedemoralize usetrue (government, itcauses to thedeceive peopleof their church the by misery people feeding Junkers, and them topolice, divert sensational officials). discontent and obscenetoward 8.7. Bamberger,Theycrash.news, influencecommitteddegrading etc.) legislation ourfraud and entire thoughon a throughculture. gigantic paid Jewishnon-Jewish scale atparliamentarians the underlings,time of the financialwith the (Lasker, 9. hood.causingTheyataim the of commercializestock("The furthering moral exchange;Jews' devastation their low all freedomownsensuous values: especially designs of disposition movement). among(fraudulent the and nation's insolvency, their lack young of gambling decencywoman- offices, titles, prestige, honor, love; 10. They have lured into their nets and bribedJewishtheslavemake many few trade. thempress. men prominent the of charactermost persons; unscrupulous who resist seducers.")are mercilessly They slandered run the whitein the Stoecker11. They dominatehad voiced even much governments the same beliefs through aboutwithoutthattions, shrewd "no havethe being individual financialsocioeconomic pull set with upon opera- state all by cabinets neighboringcan dare through to states."take international steps against contacts the Jews so press,tempttypicalofficial,role of forand ofthe the allparliamentary theJews. indebted anti-Semites. grief Solicitude about armyBut authority, thethereSo officer, for waspassing thewere the theruined fearalsoof hatredstarving the of significantartisan, oldsocial of industrial virtues.the revolution,the influential innovationsunderpaid worker, the liberal pettycon- was in the new bill of par- Jewishticulars.wouldgloomySocial temptation convictions.Itshe a picturehavelast two spoken onof pointsNever Christianthe of part wouldwerethe of "fewcorruptibility, "many entirelyStoecker men prominent ofout have character" of thought suchline persons." withlow who-of resistanceChristian painting kept Never their soto integrity.ducedfeatureSemiteswhoseStoecker's itJudaic Theoffor in belieftheir thehis very inheritance nihilistic SiegWeltanschauung in theme the des basic pessimismofJudentums he tragedy stabilityacknowledged. ever whichand überof since aUntergang conservative haddes WilhelmHe becomeGermanentum. chided was theChristianMarr repugnantthe characteristic racialhad "We world, intro- anti- to do not believe the end of the German spirit to be so near," Stoecker had THE FIRST WAVE OF RACIAL ANTI-SEMITISM 79 hesivelypsychologicaltionconfidencesaid morein hisoperating effective.first in a security publicGerman social TheThey speech which recovery. racistsgroup actually against comes ratherwere suffered "modernfromnot than reveling belonging fromone Jewry," ina in pervasivethe despair toand throes a powerful,expressed lackmerely of dis- of thehisto make their agita- "fewtiveproximitycompensationhierarchy,integration. would men ofof toThehave high-rankingcharacter" the for Christian even church the lossthought, were Social andConservatives. of statusnotthe anti-Semites,much boughtmonarchy, they less Nohadby publicly stilltheself-respecting sufferedfound Jews,close stated, some toorin thethethat thatemotional Conserva-old friendly all onlysocial gov- a envy.Thepowerfulexactlyernments fury Desperately what socialwereof their the venal. classes racists totaliii needBut assaultand did assurance,of nonot self-assurance, loyaltieswas have. thethe They tofurysecurity any hadthey of of total no of onlythe real"belonging," leadingfrustration had ties threadbare with parties. wasandthe easymenfactsuccessand that pitifultofor all andthea Jewspheres rationalizations Jews,standing. to becomean of inferior publicHow, famous forat life?race, their instance, Listenashad disposal it contributedis towerefor Fritseh: ato theyGerman. explain so to"It many account is Astheir ten prominentsoon times lackfor as the of asa trious,playEvenworldJew the the showsmore Jews'backs most intelligent asgame."9 himtalented much up Why_another asAryansand German a traceblows taken of ishis talent, enigma—were killedin horn by the byin Jewishinferiorsilenceall corners the presscreative,race?if he of alldoesListen the overindus- earth. not to the TheitloyaltyAhlwardt: atabuse racialthe and properof literature confidenceconfidence. moment, of on theThe ruiningthe time Jew part isgains and ofshot the pauperizingthis through Jews confidence, is withtheir the indicationsmain German.only weapon."1° to betray This that "The German is fundamentally trusting, his heart is full of theirofAntisemiten-KatechismusItsthe money. leadersanti-Semitic followers wereThe weregroups painfullymovement most from referredawarelacking suffered which of asin thebeing socialfromnot agitators having "thea cohesion strong few succumbed recruited men"sense and tounityof the towhomisolation. thebulk of lurepur- the of "asinisterpose. natural Cohesion attributes aristocracy," and of *Jews,purpose of who forming became wereFor accusedin"a thepolitical, anti-Semitic of considering social mind and themselves businessthe mostexcerpts of Ahlwardt's speech see Document No. VI. peoples."affiancean8o organized for the myth,purposeBy racial of 1880, exploiting theories when had racialand long subjugating anti-Semitism been current the non-Jewish in in Germany European began to become REHEARSAL FOR DESTRUCTION sawalists,camecountrythought. the an for ultimatewhereTheyelement instance, did they reason ofnot humiliatedwerenationalism originate for taken France's in upby everywhere Germany'1 bytheir decline political country's innor movements.Europe.the was defeat pollution Germany in Racism1870—71, of the the only true be- French nation- ofreactionaryonDreyfussGallic racistFrench race ideologies case, soil.by ranks "foreigners." French"A in veritable inall EuropeJews countries," In xenophobiawere the since chauvinistic designated writes the middleanimated Jacques asatmosphere theof Barzun'2 thethe agents conservative nineteenth created of in Germanyhis by studycen- andthe Paultheofaintury. landmark comparisona ideas Gobineau-inspired Eduardde Lagarde, of in CharlesDrumont's theto whichevolution or Maurras, in LaWilhelm amateur.an France ofEngland racial in Marr's aJuive Life Germany anti-Semitism, taken (2inpamphlet, vols.,a Franceover governed 1885, usuallyby reads ruled the 1886) by followersreferredaccording disciples is a classic to asofto like the essay itisbelief—andThomas thatall the made Carlyle,more morethe reason latter wouldsoThat for so for oneuniquelybeanti-Semitism scrutinizing difficult, of Jewish dangerous indeed, extraction.the was German linkedand for eventuallyany withvariety. person nineteenth-century soWhat of destruc- liberal was nationalism ofwasintive? anti-SemitismEnglandthe woven Fromother and intoWesternwhere France?a weresociopolitical did nations.The strongerit draw answer In astruggle,Germany, and strength must resistance be similar the whichrelated forces to it themto couldthat the bred weakerfact not and thatacquire than usedGerman in anti-Semitism and yet unlike that middleIninsincetheEngland GermanyEngland France had classes or been ofandFrance. had the engagedFrance, whichnever anti-Dreyfusards, Politically lost regardeda in national itsa difficult paramountspeaking, themselves ideology had comeback been conservative-clerical position had beatenas been thefight. in stateinbackbonedeveloped Its1789 andcounterpart and society.France, byof ever the trialtive-clericalfrommoderngroups. nation the state. middle By but values,theIn its Germanyclasses,end astounding andof the its monopolizedconservatism century erstwhile industrial Germany herald, transformation tookit to the hadinfused nationalexclusion become itwas with ideology a grafted of conserva- all other awayupon leading indus- tiona preindustrial saw the villain political in "liberalism," structure. Groups in those victimized forces which by industrializa-made for the THE FIRST WAVE OF RACIAL ANTI-SEMITISM 81 politics.inthusorsocioeconomic nationswill found to In account where alliesFrance transformation theit also andcould industrial forEngland notits politicalhave ofrevolution the the found same nation life. atsocial wasIn butall Germany, accompanied ordid groups not not in have anti-Semitismsufferedsuch theby strength onepower from in forfoundthroughthealign themselvesadvance no themselvesanti-Semitism semifeudal, of butcapitalism they against semiabsolutistic andalso which antiliberalism. had the theupper in opportunityGermany forcesbourgeoisie. But in registeredin topower these participate They countrieswith their had which in protest form-to they fend to ingenlargedweight.13uponpolitical the politicalgovernment representationnotions This will absence of wassocialof the ofin of socialstatus.glaringnation. political groupsIn Indisproportion a societyimperialpower in the wasas sense Germany, highly compensatedto oftheir actualcaste-conscious numberhowever, influence for and by completelymovement,trendsopposedas Germany's were to politicalexcludedthe predominant this political situation reaction from organization throughout wasthe and business bound class oftoGerman rule. of theaffect government, classExclusive, evensociety; lowest groups notwaseven in egalitarian,whichesteem not the free labor were and of itparticularlyJews.signs had ofGermanpermitted a caste vulnerable liberalism ideology conservatismStrong to and hadthe alliescaste pressureneverto usurp. ofbehavior wonanti-Semitism of In athe every decisive of national its election own. were victory. ideology matched where It proved whicha by"na- weak defenders of the tional"inherentactedgonavy, against issueascolonies, apowers parliamentary,the was current. or involved,of internal resistance. Political rather "sedition,"whether Nevertheless, Catholicism, than it an liberalism concerned authoritarian afterwhich was the a in larger defeatedKulturkampfimperialforce, army had ifGermany itgreater and daredit did racy.safeguardscoursethenot Reichdare To aiming exposethis by as followingextent atCatholicism's itselfa parliamentary political again a consistently to Catholicism,best the regime, odiumprotection liberal with of once committingpolicy. generalagainst its militant It civicProtestantsteered treason and anti-Jewish a politicalcautious against autoc- beyondperiodSocialistproveit had was theanxiousno over, labor,loveexigencies could tofor finally, associate either be of counted did a orthodox particularitself not upondefend with or to situation,left-wing atheistbethe "anti-anti-Semitic," Jews Jews. liberalismsuch qwi AtJews,as anno or election.althoughtime socialismthough did it "Jewishvaiingwas82 onsocial protective principle order guard" opposedand the (Judenschutztruppe). nationalto anti-Semitism. state, it came TheBut anti-Semitic asunder it rejected attack stereo- the pre REHEARSAL FOR. DESTRUCTION as a itpurposeWhileoftype lacked its was enemies: socialist against initiativeenriched revolutionary Conservative-clericallabor againstbyAfter thoseshowed theall features onslaughtdesignsthis extraordinary has which andreaction, been of treacheroustheidentify stated, strength nationalistic including socialism there ofinternationalism. convictionanti-Semitism, remainsideology. in the a and: quality in German eyes munityworshipsthat,terpretation.racial in whichthenationalism "race" nineteenth How would as is awhichone atspiritual century,once really seems be ultimateto egalitarianmakes tounderstand elude "blood"and a andpurely dreams a philosophyelite-bound, its politico-economic Holy of a Grail?racial or brotherly religion That in- com- identicalworldrootsstudytoward in laterof itspre-Christian itswith members was literature the to antireligiousdiscover and GermanFrom and merciless itscultsin history. verythe and almostNazitoward outset anticlerical The Weltan8chauung prompts theGermanpaganism world enlightenment racism one outside?which to was lookthe essentiallynotWestern forof at theitsall un-Christian. The andmanywhichtoleranceseventeenth anti-Enlightenment elements,had all but theand by however,imponderable mythologiceighteenthThe nineteenth-century realm which centuries; concepts force of link nature of ofitthis religious wasrace, German modernheld not folkdom, amotivatedpersuasion. centralRomanticism. paganism blood, placeby There reasonandto inpost- nature areracist and thought. It saw bythuscouldindividuals nature.the ofracial ever his This hopefate, anti-Semitesand fatalism, hisculturesto achievecalling, impervious as was hisgovernedthe duties, tohighest becometo doubt byto revelation whichinexorable more and hereason,aware had of laws. science.ofbeen was his All embracedpredestined blood, thatIn the man and preachedthetionarchicname willof of orderJews ofscience the Godofwas solidarity the concernedintothey races theclaimed of highmankind.the with nation a andthe paramount preservationWhilethe as alowly, racial Christian-conservative place communityracialof ain society the anti-Semitism natural anddivided advo- rejec-hier- by fication"heldtioncated tofor suppression nature.14 the preoccupied racial anti-Semites. of "theNothem less Jew," intensely. characteristic Notions a lower "Thou of species "blood shaltwas of thekeeppollution" man, fascination thy as blood andan obliga- "purl-pure," which the sphere of sex terminesblood.osaid soil the the For third the noble you Jewisimesscommandment* mustAryan know of bodythat of theirJewish and decalogue.15soul blood onto is the indestructible "Considerlatest generations." it aand crime de- THE FIRST WAVE OF RACIAL ANTI-SEMITISM breed of your people by mixing it with Jewish 83 connotation.cosmopolitisminTaken decompositionRoman up by antiquity the When and racists,of national German hadthe Theodor racistsalso decomposition"16 society, been talked Mommsen's they about were acquired "the statementnot satisfiedJews" an that entirelycausing with the accept-Jews new the "an effective fermenting agent of allegedlyMommsen'singincultural a specific Jewish changes statement. society. intellectual which Stoecker'sThe they raciststraits attributed anti-Semitesand regarded behavior to the deplored upon disintegratingthe a specific the social cultureeffect and of interpretation which conservative "decomposition" as a phe- anti-Semitism gave to processnomenonaccomplishedspiracy.Sexual caused orgiesunrelated While by weretheir the the to visualizedJewssecret any"well-known historical practiced racial against mission, situation; and the enjoyed backgroundnamely, as a to ensureof a sinister the moral con- sexual inclinations of the Jews." libertinism, they alsopurely physiological stancesableareand at physicalobjects play have in of degenerationmadethe the projection outside Modernthe Jews ofworld. psychology asthe a hostgroupHistorical nation. has paid and muchsociological attention circum- to the mechanisms that of repressed individual desires upon suit- particularly fit to serve as a componentsecular.againstlogicalscreen upon springs theStrong ofburdensome which the ofsexual personality anti-Semitism such repression desiresrestraints structure can mayhas of civilization, frequentlyofwell anti-Semites.17 be an beenunconscious either found to be projected. One of the psycho- religious or revoltbe a glorifiedism.categories Aryan as made blood,the onlyfor embodyingInan guarantee racialaggressive anti-Semitism, theof ideology national secret ofof survival the thenationalism merging in a hostile of psychological highest creation, was and imperial-and politicaldomination. world, itselftureeventuallyHitler'sand consequently,of of the apocalypticits rule1890's.Jews the and "Theuniverse as predictionthus a providentialpeople opens was thatthewhich formulated doorthe promise first nation to its andin innateof theof most purest worldanti-Semitic of culture and consequently cultural develop-thoroughly rids blood would litera- phrasedthement ruler is predestinedthis of the statement world,"* to becomein Ahlwardt Mciii theKampf:For wrote bearer "Ain state the racists' Ten Commandments see Document No. VII. 1890.18 Hitler merely para- which in the days of 84 REHEARSAL FOR DESTRUCTION raceunproductivityraciststo becomepoisoning than some the endeavors ofcharacteristics day the the SemiticMorally, tomaster cultivate mind,theyspiritually, of the attributed itstheir world."19 best andalleged racial aesthetically,to the propensity elements Jews: thenothing isfor so-calledbound acquir- was more offensive to the subspecies—ugly,asocial"Jewish"foring despoilingwithout behavior in creating,the the racists'and moilusc-like, purity itfor also vocabulary atomizing and designated sensuous.beauty the stood theoforganic Stoecker the physicalfor racial structure had traits body. felt of called Thethe selfish, individualistic, a human state,uponterm atery;additionreverenceto theraise more Jews hisengraved forominous asvoice theone Christian-conservative uponagainstof still, nature's the it Jewish stereotypelearned caprices, arrogance, how the destined world.and traits taught materialism, of Racialto perversionplague others anti-Semitism and howand and to lackto testtreach- look her ofin clusions,waschildnoblest a would closed,reminder creation, it was pass logical sped itsthatthe test. along Aryan.systemnature If its by Topremisesofwas a hystericthought.the watching Aryan will Uncompromising the forto seeaction. how Prognostics her in favorite its con- of were accepted, the racial theory very existence of Jews peopleorimpending stream,destroyednational from reverberate doom, obliteration unlessMarr's dire itSieg finds endlesslywarnings deswas the Judentuins the strength inthat fatal the the alternativeracist toand German eject Ahlwardt's literature. the nation offered poison ImmediateVerzweiflunge. will thefrom be German quickly its actionblood firstcommandever,provinces.kampf organized which der arischeninIn had thecontrast in foundBerlinChristian Politically,Völker to an andthe outstanding downSocial Conservative-Protestant from both to Party,Conservative-Protestantthere Hitler's leader carriedthe Mein organizational in Stoecker outwardKampf. movement, and into forms racialunified thehow- ofanti-Semitism were themovementinsproutedracial detail. trunknineties anti-Semitisim Mostandof had thethe died significant racialbeenracists repeatedly. offer completelycreed had isa picturethewresteda multitude It fact is dominated of notthat the great necessary inofleadership the circles,diversity byeighties Stoecker to groups, from anddescribe the instability. him.anti-Semitic and them Apartiesthat brief Onallin andBusch,2°radicalsummary known writer,of to the be developmenttheeditor, Chancellor'sThe Bismarck's idea that of journalistic a ledpress political to attachéthis handy changegrouping in man.the is Foreign necessary.with Busch no Office,wanted other objectives besidesanti-Semitism was perhaps first propagandized by Moritz THE FIRST WAVE OF RACIALsupported ANTF-SEMITISM by all other parties and devoted solely to the 85 adherentstive,ineliminationan itsorganization orthodox ranks would ofeverybody, Jewsor "not rationalist, from tolerate "unitarian public ultramontane any life. longer or This the"party or full ad equality hoc" was of theto welcome Semitic particularist, liberal or conserva- Protestant" provided the for a fromandJew,elementsSocial to thenor work Reichpoliticalwithto with read the Partyall anativescene. theirnewspaper Wilhelm(1880) energies one" actually and Man's editedfor took the League attempted exclusionbythe Jewspledge of Anti-Semites oforto never "Semitic build to a votepolitical (1879) or- and Ernst Henrici's friendly to Jews, intruders" massganizationofisolationaction the organization21 Stoeckerand aroundin the Berlin solution agitation.anti-Semitism andwhere the of theyMarr's national ashad gloomythe tried problems. exclusive to outlook get aNeitherprinciple start on the in succeeded thefor backwashpolitical as a elections of 1881 showed their hopeless "cultural and Democraticbringreceivepoliticaldomination) moral financial bankruptcy utopias."22 pressure and support which ofto His thebear for mission wouldOccident" upona weekly "leastendedthe wasJewish through ofwhen confirmedall Fremdherrschaft" herender which turned byhomagehe "with hisintended failure revulsion to (alien Social "to to opposedpoliticalthanand nausea"23 three toscene years"Christian-conservative" (Ekel marked (1880—1882).The zum thespan Erbrechen) beginning of Henrici's But anti-Semitism.from his of "enlightened, turbulentrowdyagitation anti-Semitism. Heappearancewas was progressive" also the short. first on agi-It ashardly lasted more the thetatorlegislativebyanti-Jewishfor liberal wholawtheir toclaimed "opportunistic"parties occupy bodies;demands forto civilspeak theirthe contained census service stand friendlinessfor "all on anythingof or trulythe denominations army Jewish toliberal new.Jews positions question. citizens."Jews and thewaswere or ConservativesNotto Heto to be bebethat elected restored;forbidden his own to castigated JewishKaisertralinsocial all administration immigrationanti-Semitic reforms, and the Reichwhich platforms,toand beit made anplaced stopped.24 active up Henrici's loyalty the colonial bulk Besides to party of thepolicy. the Germancalledthe "practical" Nextusual for people. to demandsa strongerloyalty suggestions Like tofor cen- the toingSocial power;sure.overcome hours. Democratic But aggressive Henrici's theexisting trend program, attemptsforeign political was discernible: policy;it to cleavagesdemanded find reconciliationa political were legislation as approach yet on standard broad enough work- centralization of governmental of the liberal middle awkward and un- ism.classes86 The and concept labor with of the the Nation, Kaiserreich once liberal and democratic, REHEARSAL FOR DESTRUCTION on the basis of a budding imperial- was fast materialthemannbecoming racial von and Sonnenberg,school.a bureaucraticethical Liebermann rebirthHenrici an and ex-officer of imperialisticGermanfor saw a while and,the folkdom" salvation like cooperated Henrici, and of in Germany withan "more anti-Semite ultraconservative practical in "the of Max Lieber- one. corporative"constitutionallycorruption,gestedChristianity." doing and state away As replacing arrivedthewas with best established. parliamentary at,"25it way temporarily tountil put The thesuch government, by twopolitical aideals dictatorshipagitators, intorepresentation the practice however, of the heKaiser, of the source of all soonsug. ofhe own,Bernhardpartedthealigned Berlin the company. with GermanFörster, Movement. the Conservative Liebennann,People'stried his This Associationhand was togetherCentral with not to Committee,with(Deutscher Henrici's Nietzsche's liking.theVolksverein), high brother-in-law, During command which the an anti-Semitic organization of his coattailsfortrulypendency1881 narrow Jewish election of on partythe fashion" the anti-Semites. campaigninterestsConservative exploited and Henrici It mightwere Party.the great attackedout be The saidto national Conservatives,pull in the passingthemselves Committeemovement that he the of said,for chargeBerlin its "in de- up by the movementblackmailsoinof theexploitingoften working the by and anti-Semites thealluding thealliance achievements privileged to ofsocial would anti-Semites upper ofcleavages feel the classes. shortchangedpopular and between Thethe movement Conservatives. classic their and ownunfailingly caseoften "people's" occurred recurred Every try broad"cabinettweenHitlerin 1982 backs theas when ofReich Nazisthey noblemen" Hindenburg's climbed Chancellorand the culminatedGermanto power." temporarily selection Nationals. in the of disrupted Franzindignant Goebbels' von the outcry:Papen attack cooperation rather "Uponon Papen's than ourbe- couragedhadconservativeservative pulled by no Centralthe coloringweight. governmental Committee InAfter deteriorated. 1883, the press,the nationaland Conservative Henrici'sdroppedthe racialelections the and anti-Semites Central anti-Semitic Liebermann'sof 1881, Committee, theof extremists liberal relations parties en- and between the Con- SomegressiveCitizens'ganizedin the ofpreparation themajority.Party mostvarious with notorious Theof which Citizens' municipal Committee it agitators unsuccessfully Leagues elections itself disappeared into disintegrated in tried thethe "unpolitical" Reichfromto break soonBerlin. capital Berlin's afterwards. BernhardGerman and Pro- or- THE FIRST WAVE OF RACIAL ANTI-SEMITISM 87 eralofbutpublicationLiebennannForster political changed new emigrated attempts anti-Semitism, invon his 1885, Sonnenberg,mind to in wasSouth Berlinand also Westphalia transferredAmerica. whoseonto formthe vergeDeutsche andHenrici anti-Semitichis Saxony. activitiesof sailingleft Volkszeitung forIn 1884 topartiesthe the United and Newnew hadoutside 1885 centersWorld,States.to stopsev- of politicalStoecker'squential.andLeague," the life modernorganization, Theended failed radicals inpartyto failure.emerge, suchsucceeded,which Butas the wouldthe evencumulative "Anti-Semiticto somecutif none across extent, efforts of theGerman-Progressive in were ventureslines ridding not of Germany's inconse-anti-Semi-prospered couldtive,many.thetisrn sophisticated aof pose Henceforth,reactionary, the as stigma a liberal, climate an ofa lackey anti-SemiteInbigotry progressive, whichBerlin, of and prevailedthe racial no obscurantism,evenJunkers, longer anti-Semitism asin a latewas orrevolutionary. anineteenth-century necessarily pious a severe was churchgoer. handicap kepta conserva- in Ger- check He in by its conserva- theory,wastive-clericaldeveloped (Deutscheweak. and Organizations rival.thusin ReformSaxony, putIt gained themselves Partei)Westphalia, ofin somethein Dresden provincesoutside andstability Hesse. (1880),the where that Christian The led embracedStoecker's German by AlexanderSocial Reform theinfluence camp, racial Pinkert, Party forandbulkbusinessmen,was "social demands inof its its social followers.reform" whichartisans, composition by the For wayshopkeepers, Berlin the of mostsimilar compulsory Movement part, andto theit petty merely hadguilds,Stoecker officials made repeated easier party,popular. making credit thewith Itslogans forup smallstood thethe wateredJewsMitteistand,Socialcause from withdownDemocratic public higherthe its Nationalanti-Semitic administration. taxationcandidate, Liberals of principles August mobile Withinin defeating Bebel; capital,sufficiently a few the at and years, anti-Semiticthe tothe polls, make the exclusion inparty common candidate1884, had of the tralizedincludingsidewho wonof Dresden,organization. Bebel's Berlin, seat thebut enrolledpartyTwoit never of had initswas the localbranches, able Conservative branches to build one ininup Reichstag Leipzig, aa numbernationwide, group.under of cities, Theodorcen-Out- Fritsch (1884), themovementStoecker(Deutsche otheremancipation in movementKassel,and Antisemitische in law under andby Ottopledging for Vereinigung). theBoeckel passage its members (1886), Itof stressed special tried to work to itslegislation revive oppositionfor the the repeal whichailing to the of 1886 joined the German Anti-Semitic Alliance 88 REHEARSAL FOR DESTRUCTION ment.tagConservativewouldHe group, was treat the henceforwardJews firstParty, as anti-Semitic aliens. theBoeckel founder Ina permanent1887, deputywas of anBoeckel elected autonomouswho feature remained wasin a electedofrural anti-Semiticthe independent election Germanto the Reichstag. district, Reichs-parlia- from the Marburg-Franken- spreadinglore,territory.population.26berg-Kirchhain had brokenNow the The ain itsyouth Hesse,constituency allegiance. of a 26, region a Boeckel hadlibrarian notorious long had beenand gonefor a uncontested studentthe from poverty village of German Conservativeof itsto village,peasant folk- slogan, "Peasants! Free yourselves from the Jewish "FromGerlach,"Thefrommiddlemen!" whichpeasants miles Boeckel's the andaway adored Jews campaigning opponent they were him came toas inbetheir thetoforbarred. his awakenerelectionsrural meetings. His credit popularity ofand cooperatives1898 Peasantliberator," and was 1903, lads extraordinary. Helimutand relates.27 markets on horse- von liberator!'theirhisback presence. little would For children Garlandsaescort few years him upFollowing were andwhen he strungwas told he in truly honoredthemthe across footstepspeasant 'Look thea judenfreie streets,king ofat Moritz theof theHesse." man,cattle Busch,mothers markethe Boeckelis held with wanted the Jewish our permittedofregardlessquestion againstthe anti-Semitic treated the ofitself creedJews, asto and"a "abemovement national tough, takenpolitical oldin question wasaffiliation."28tow and entirely byalien whichthe race Conservatives. due Inconcerns which histo theopinion cannot factevery thattheThe be German decline subduedit fight had tionandGermansdifferentlyeither honorablewould by shouldbaptism andhave way,acts tocooperate or differently,"beBoeckel intermarriage," recognition in insisted—and arriving should by constitutionalwhich beat aabove thesolution—in "thinks beginning party law differently,politics. ofaof strictly thesuch Allfact feelsgoodlegal that a solu- GermanJewishtheformer"in rightsGermany are questionpeople of the hospitality there country'swill should livelearn but two bemasters;no never discussedlongerdifferent those the to regard latternations: of"over masters." arethe and Germans guestsrepeal over In the of whoagain parliamentandthe mayemancipa- Jews;until enjoy the thethe onlyledservativetheantion by imperative aReichsherold, lawbigbait landownersas forParty. 'intolerable,' catching requirement It campaignedcoupled and the as political anti-Semiticfor'persecutionhatred the against people'sofcareerists, Jews "that mania'vote. withsalvation." discredited toBoeckel but contemptwhom to viewBoeckel's Stoeckerstood Jewish for it insteadforthe clique" paper,was theCon- as favoredtofreedom andinclude the aof federalgovernment's Prussia;the press income withand for endeavorsthetax the andProgressives extension opposed to create of the and the stategrowing general, trade military equal monopolies franchise budget as THE FIRST WAVE OF RACIAL ANTI-SEMITISM Social Democrats, he 89 oftism.cratic"wassources great equally Boeckel's anti-Semitism of concern revenues firm anticlerical in to rejecting In overStoecker. began the which fight andallto proveThe clericaltheforanticonservative Reichstag thelatter superior soul complained: and would to theanti-Semiticagitation havevote "In ofno was Hesse, thecontrol. conserva- a rural matter Dr. He population, "demo- designs upon public education. menitselfinofBoeckel theirdoanti-Semitism. withnot communities. has dare the gained rightto oppose If waysuch they Reason of him, adid, reputationfighting enougheven they though wouldJewry forin townsthe andhelose church pursues thus andthe lastvillagestoto thekeeptry bit wrongto of in thatfamiliarize influenceharmony clergy- kind menthemhisandaswith the "Social Stoecker fortheby guide refusing aristocraticfolk Democratic" of hadsoul the to to people's ashave privileges.write well methodsany Boeckel asreligious dealings with In of 1888, offthe agitation. with asduties he a the total resigned exactedBoeckelCohnservative loss. They bystruck its deplored spokes- callingback at aspirations."29 The Conservatives from the Anti- traditionallyof1893Semitic Conservative the Alliance Agrarian conservative reaction. which LeagueWhat was territorymade began too thismuch topossible? suddenoperate, to the How irruptionright he denounced could for his of two taste.a new anti-Semitic it asWhen political a tool in force into rural, Easternsiderablesolelymovements from provinces,Germany. differentcoexist, too, But shadeswhose were they successfully canofrivalry anti-Semitism? hardly at a account invadedsuperficial Surely, forunder theview thethere division flagwas were ofderived asracial con- the cultural and political differences between Western and betweenment'sto Stoeckerasanti-Semitismhave a resulttariff grownlarge-scale wasand of outthe fiscalaclose few of deep-seatedgrain apolicy.yearsto clash grainproduction later. Putof and agriculturalgroup inThe afeed and nutshell, split interests small-scaleproducers, in the the brought anti-Jewish essential intensivethe Junkers,into conffict camp thefarming. openwhose seemswas depression and the govern- theyi.e.,livingsidedeconomy needed low withfrom grain hinged protective the dairy prices.Junkers on and high tariffs This animal antagonized prices conflict and farmingfor government their between the mainand small depended Junkersubsidies.crops; peasant toand on Butwho peasant cheap whoever made farm-feed, his keep prices high Republic;ing90 ran through it engendered the entire peasant history organizations of the Kaiserreich outside and and REHEARSAL FOR DESTRUCTION the Weimar onfarmers,crats,strengthto thethat too,Agrarian of toof the tried makethis urban League,conflictto them break industrial realize thatassociate the Liberals, Conservatives'how masses. of much the and The Conservativetheir after attempts hold 1918 on on themillionsParty. the Social whole It of own well-being depended in opposition is on the Demo- small cooperativeparliamentaryfeltnot successful,in many movement. ways. line-up but stillItTo influencedin understandthe trade economic and the tax the choice conflictlegislation, success of persisted political of and Boeckel's the and growth made racial agitation candidates, the it must be of the itselfwere servativesLiberals,handscareer,seen in werethestill and soft-pedaledparliamentary another tiedhis Christian by context. the political sceneConservatives' Social When was anti-Semitism Boeckeldominated coalition embarked andby the bad with Kartell. little Stoecker's movement was at low ebb. The Con- upon his political the National opportunity servativeclasses.ment'sbyto sharing cash policy, Thrown Partyin with on they tobackthe beexposed Nationalbenefits intothe isolation,tool themselves ofLiberals of anti-Semitic Junker the theMittelstand interests; responsibility agitation. rediscoveredit forWhat to the wrath of the lower middle now perceived the the govern-was more, the Con- theusedrole racialpurpose ofby conservative powerful anti-Semites, of intimidating groups anti-SemitismBoeckel's the in groupstemporary the anti-Conservativelatter around in andoppositionits true Liebermannstaging light campaign also impelled the right to the governmenta comeback. foras a tactical device von Sonnenberg, wing of fives.nationalizationousmannTheodor Indemands, agreed1889, Fritsch, aton suchtheof a Paulplatform basicAnti-Semites' as theFörster, industries. revocationwhich etc., Day contained Liebermann, to in of Bochum, the side emancipation propagandistby Boeckel side rather and law of incongru-Lieber- andthe the move away from the Conserva- cor- Democraticporativeofto thisdeclarenent state,[Social toParty, his hastensworn Democratic]opposition because enemysocial he reform;of to sawtendency the further inparliamentary but"each legal[in] parliamentary each restrictions system,National representativewent Liberal Reichstag a living reminder to the govern- on the Social so far as tismachieved.somember near simply the a Theweight abyss."3° Qoulci "democratic" on not theUnity, fuse. scale and Unable theof "conservative" laissez aim to of comefaire the that toAnti-Semites' wings a hassatisfactory ofbrought racial anti-Semi-Day,agreement however, could not be us already with Boeckel, Liebermann in 1889 founded the German-Social Anti- TilE FIRST Wtv OF RACIAL ANTI-SEMITtSM electoralthepartei).suitSemitic respectivein 1890 PartyBochum campaign, with (Deutschsozia,le headquarters the(Westphalia) Anti-Semitichowever, of theand thePeople's two Erfurt two parties organizations. Party(Province supported (Anti8emitische of Saxony) eachIn the other's Voiks- 1890were Anti3emitirche Partei). Boeckel followed 48,000resentativecandidates.of themore votes Anti-Semitic than Fourof were his seven of party, castthe People's mfflion. Boeckel for won anti-Semitic overParty Thegroup, their officiallyfour and candidates,opponents.members Liebermann formed elected out Altogetherin asthe of the asaReichstag total candidatessole about voterep- the "anti-SemiticcastinLiebermann 1890 in the reveal firstgroup" refused interesting balloting (Antiremiten-Fraktion) toElection join. fordetails. the returns31 SocialIn one Democratic district,for with the Boeckelfour several candidatedistricts asthousand chairman. conquered went votes in by the Boeckelites Progressivenearlyopponent.thetakingSemites run-off the a appeared entireInelectionchance contestant. another National ontofairly theadistrict, new-fangledWhere successful.anti-SemiteLiberal run-off Stoecker vote, Dissatisfied ratherparty electionswhich had thanof assured failed,opposition, voterstogave his the Nationalthewere defeatradical anti-Semite perhaps not Liberal averseof anti- the even to werelongedrebellion.intensive being to Politicalthe shiftedcampaign. Conservatives, toboundaries theThe The leftist, racists Antisemitische National had "democratic" followed become Liberals, fluid; Correspondenz,up wing their orloyalties Social first major thatDemocrats had political be- victory with an of the anti-Semites. publication lishing"quietlyandof thethe other seatGerman-Social house, to ofpieces enlist the both German newof under literatureParty, friends Theodor Anti-Semitic reported of were the Fritsch's ideasinmailed 189032 Alliance of management, dailythe that anti-Semites."and by8,000 of the the becameto Leipzig 4,000Hammer Leipzig, a leaflets major officepub- Christian48,000"pure"propaganda anti-Semitesto conservativea quartercenter for of stunned Anti-Semitismraciala state. million. anti-Semitism. Itthe had nation grown as a when political bold,In the their and elections force votewhat was jumped it of no 1893, longer from the a reliable ally demanded of the capitalisthatred"privilegedwasfailing in open which toMitteWand groups, functionconflict alone, bourgeois with for fromMaximilian conservatism. the joining or aristocratic. forcesHarden Anti-Semitism with had The Social said, "valve preventedDemocracy,33 as aof the anti- was material and ideological interests of all the political group- anti-Semitic rouserHermancomfortablying92 displayed and Ahlwardt a close veryvisible tocontroversialwho sedition.elements for years Thisof figuresocialwas was a mostradicalismcelebratedamong obvious the whichanti-Semitic leaders in the brought ofagitation the rabble- itanti- un- of REHEARSAL FOR DESTRUCTION lighteducator,mentavillage. schoolteacher.Semitic onas The the however, movement. principalsonman Atof and theendedan (Rektor)artisan,Ahlwardthisage prematurely laterof 35 he of "calling." hewasreceived a had Berlin bornand worked athe inpublic good 1846circumstances his education school. wayin a upsmall Histo and throwan Pomeranian career appoint-became some as managedobligations.friendship—underwritingdebt. It was to solvethrough However his financialnoBy thatfault the a loan maytime ofproblems. hisfor hebe, own, awas thecolleague Friends madefacthe said, is a whoandschoolthat but benefactors—they failed Ahlwardtdue principal to to an meet actnever AElwardt hisof was heavily in torates.lesslypeatedlyranged a minute Oneentrapped from came hundred record Stoecker to in hisof outa thetanglerescue toof author's liberalthe of but250 short-term notables, to dealingspages no avail. of with includinghisloans Ahlwardt first Jewish and book34 Jewish usurious usurers, became are ones—re- devotedinteresta hope-weird politicsmovedself.theInexample the point The course from with of authoritieswhere exhibitory ofhis time he position.book began Ah[wardt'sstarted self-humiliation The to Shortly proceedings,Aryan pocket "negligence" Peoples'afterwards, school combined and collectionBattlein in financial he1890with enteredof persecution Ahlwardt Despairmoney matters the forAgainst fieldreachedwas mania. him- re- of itsvituperation,writingJewry. arms The but into Germannothing irresponsibility,every vitalhadpublicThe been sphere Jewish had andprinted by of sheeroctopus, then German yet madness.been to as match society.accustomedthe Verzweiflungskampf Ahlwardt's Neither to anti-Jewish theattack army in depicted it, had sunk hadbehindbusinessmen—alloffnor the thefinancially monster.thegovernment attempts enslaved Educators, had uponnor to payany high-placedthe officers,their social old tribute.Kaiser's group peasants, members A lifewas Jewish incivilable of1878; conspiracy the servants,any rulingJewish more workers,had dynasty; tobankers shake been underoratehealthyunderlingsmentsJews apparatusexercised thewhose and heading, abused,stable officials ofa controlling"evidence." social "The exploited, they Oathrelations. influenceThehad ofand secondbribed a AllJew,"undermined on partthis anda consistednumber ofwas corrupted. the put Verzweiflungskanmpf,the of forthalmost ministerialGerman Jews with entirely and nation'san depart- elab-their of ports,private so documents, arranged as police to prove records, that court THE FIRST WAVE OF RACIAL ANTI-SEMITISM Bleichröder had commited perjury in decisions, and newspaper re- 93 answered.ofChancelloran publicalimony officialsBrought caseCaprivi werebeforeandSuch other unheard a reckless court important ofof. charges law, They men Ahlwardt's against in the the government. "evidence" honor of the evap- courts and and that he owed his liberty only to the protection of certainly did not go un- the integrity roder-Caprivifouroratedseizein amonths parliamentaryand upon part in itconspiracy ofjailto thedamage for royaltiesdebate. libel aroused the and The onChancellor's slander. theenoughConservatives Verzweiflungskamp-f However, political position. were excitement to the alleged onlyBleich- too eager to consisted of result inferiorLoweJudenflinten35closure" of quality havingof Jewish (Jewish ofsupplied these corruptionHardly Rifles), Lowe the governmenthad rifies,createdhe theaccused Ahlwardtexcitement a newwith the sensation.industrial asserted, subsided firm wasIn when a ofmore Ahlwardt with another faulty military rifles. The pamphlet, Ludwig "dis-than many'sGermanoperationjust the defeat usualofficials with in result the the were Alliancenext of Internationalcriminally Jewishwar, Israelite and greed, itimplicated. Jewryfinally Universelle it did wasmade not a a overlook monstrousin Paris, anything in attempt that to putcould contribute to Ger- plot hatched out in co- which high battletimea rifiein itswhen conditions. in possession the subjected hands 425,000 of to themodestThis German rifles, attempt wear supplied butsucceeded which by the must beyond firm soon of expectation. Ludwigbreak LOwe, Today Isidor the army already has soldier which might be usable in peace down under whichmentheLOwe enemy at itmanager, the took than Stock me to which greatthoseExchange, Jewry,ineffortswho wartime fire musttheto them. discover. Jewishare have bound thoroughcentral to be board almost of lesscontrol dangerous (Centralleitung) to as well as top knowledge of this fact celebratedsoldSocialing out applause withinDemocratic as the in a savior afew number periodical,A weeks. offirst-rate the of fatherlandpopularThe sarcasticallyscandal author, mass is resulted. being"adorned meetings," reported listened Twenty with fromNeue to laurelseditions withBerlin. Zeit,36 roar- and ofThe the the pamphlet were oforganizedAhlwardtpamphlet wasthe charges at its himselffrenzyfinally height. he hadclamored waswas In made. confiscatedarrested.the forperennialThe his scandal But release by publicstruggle orderbroke and opinion ofwhenfor for the speedy nationalist governmentroused investigation to passiona well- and the expansion of the frontGerman94 war was army conjured a new phase had been REHEARSAL FOR DESTRUCTIONup by a Franco-Russian military rapprochement. reached as the nightmare of a two- ofmetend.closure" weapons A statement used inby the theAn official investigation by theall War requirements; Ministry that tests had revealedto have been a figment of his imagination from army, but that such deficiencies did not Reichsanzeiger37 said that Lowe rifles established Ahlwardt'ssome "dis-technical deficiencies beginning to con- I, parliamentaryelectedmonthsthecern Ludwig weapons into jail.the Lowe Meanwhile,immunityReichstag, manufactured suspended andhowever, theby the the accused firm. In the company Ahlwardt was sentenced to another five Reichstag held thethat condemned the privilege slanderer of had beensentence.38 suit brought by lackhis"revelations"and public of dishonest integrity career. were slanderer.only Quite fabricated seemedAhlwardt theOfficially was repeatedly exposed outto of improve wholecontrary. Ahiwardt'scloth. The Yet, damning politicalthis did evidencenotprospects. ruin of hisdocumentedin evidence law courts proved as a reckless, that his malicious, whichobservationincreditApparently, which anon agitator theprinciple whetherlawapplies sociallywas rejected successful toheld the and by thehistory politically the existing legal of those groups that supported him. The same proceedings also workeddepended to dis- chiefly on the esteem revolutionary movements heroishingcementganizedthe and institutions the the sanctified popularlabor beliefs the of ofappeal hostilehisimprisonment their offollowers. class the prisoner,rule. of Harsh radical name. The Social Democratic Party not only In the early days of European or-law and judiciary as essentiallyfrequently made himsentences, leadersinto a far usually from dimin- served to ofyearscohesionandgained the officers ofland a themillion in which Weimar thewere course votes they persecuted; Republic denounced underof its thetwelve-year the it anti-Socialistalso National acquired Socialists rejected the laws as infamous and mismanaged by the proscription. In the critical act when partyextraordinary leaders political boundfortionalthey"Jew men to wouldRepublic." struggle have like proudly unfavorableStoecker and In martyrdom.the point for few repercussions. towhom their The the punishment situationslightest It embarrassed brush with cases where the law decided against them was,as of a course, trophy different of their na- and alienatedthe law was heprestige,posedaltarthe had groups madeshould as ain violatorwhosea fact, bestatement defended was support of damagedestablished under byhe wanted.aoath by lawwhich law Itand suits the accepted andcourt trials, later morality. in Stoecker's man whom the courts of the country ex- was unthinkable that throne and was to declareone of which "objectively wrong but not deliberately untrue." This was enough to THE FIRST WAVE OF RACIAL ANTI-SEMITISM 95 tencesorderthatearnable plaguedhim still defiancefailed the meant sobriquet tohim damageof a forstate great theTheof and Ahlwardt's Meineidspfaffedeal.rest full law of implicationsBy amonghis contrast, publiclife. the ("the In careerpeople Stoecker's theof clerical thefact indicates that racists' thatperjurer"), backedworld, two adefiance consider- jailhim.law a labelsen- and of the law were not ingcussedInexistingrealized the editor socialist and lawat of Ahlwardt'sanalyzed. asNeue class literature Zeit law, Franz time.wrote came of Mehring,theSocial the nearest time most Democracy, thisto thecaustic understanding historian,problem commentaries a force was who the repeatedlythat as phenomenon. a onchallenged contribut- the dis-cul- geoisie'smorebafflingturalSemitic aspectsfuriously question more movement, of or acclaimedthe asless Ahlwardtto naturalwhyMebring the it was scandals,reactionmore and that monstrous his "Ahlwardt'sto had friendsthe an pressures answerthey said, accusations were."39 was ofand his thedevastations own Thepettywere to anti- bour-the ofingpendascaused everycivil have on by servants, the recklessto big endure[capitalist] business. demagogueteachers, a miserable clique"Berlin editors, whoand tyranny.is fullwho dares building of with Theypeople,"publicly secret superintendents, become Mehringslap moaning thethe cliqueeasywrote, and etc., victimsgroan- in "who thede- describedwhoseface. The shoulders harderas the mosttheseare daily Inaccessibleslaps, rubbed the moreto sore anti-Semitism theyby an will invisible beAhlwardt's andapplauded yoke. the least .case, by swayed peoplethe ranks of the Berlin Mitteistand, which Mehring . ." peatingheofAhlwardt'sby Germany. Berlin.defeatedlegal the prosecution In constituencyfeat the 1892,Ahlwardt's whichcandidate without of Boeckel thewas campaignof anagitators, the organization,before ruralall-powerful procedures Arnswalde-Friedebergwerehim had augmented without Conservative accomplished have funds beenby rural to Party,4° describeddistrictin back Western groups. him, east re- by flashedmanytheHeilmut farms heads avon gigantic and Gerlachof askedcattle note "Accompanied:41 everyhe book had. peasant andThen would he how would dictate many turn acresto tohim: his of 'Take secretaryland andit down! how by his secretary, he systematically made the rounds of who possessionsland10Gussow pigs.'" and hascattle, of12 the acres,he landedalsoAhlwardt 5 toldcows, aristocracy. them 4 not pigs. where only HisShould told to battle get the have it, crypeasants viz., 24 "against acres, from that Jewsthe12 they cows,huge and deserved to have more 96 REHEARSAL FOR DESTRUCTION capitalism.vestigessufferedsubjectedJunkers" from ofpointedin Intimidatedana thesemifeudal old inroadsat one. the twofoldbyThey ofenvironment. centuriesa new paid pressure economic twice, of Small Junker to for whichsystem farmers too rule, muchthe as theyand wellpopulation andfarm admired as toofrom laborers littlewas the reasontantqualificationsabout.man than who Toand wisdom; publiclysupport plausibility. a peasant's malice Ahlwardtattacked Peasant andcandidate what aggressivenesswas mistrust theyto required, rebel dared of by werethecourage only proxy. city more privately in wasOf acceptablegeneral themore complainpersonal impor-and than of againstwealthysel.regardedlawyers To them. thein shouldas particular apeasant matterThat have Ahlwardt ofmind wasrecourse having proverbial. it wasshould theto the onlybetter, becourts The naturalimprisoned that outcome to is, ruin that more the forofthe expensivecourt onelibel powerful who caseswas spoke coun-to wasand be spokengardedupexpected their thesincerity. cause and sentences not against at allasThe theadishonorable. confirmation racistsbig shots. attacked The Heof Ahlwardt's hadpeasantsestablished lost out of honesty lawBrandenburgbecause on and two he plain- grounds:took re- that it had been theJews"periencedpopularanddegraded commonthat who senseit andhadas hid aman corruptedof becomebehinddistant justice. could themanipulationever byTheno intricacies fartherthemore official infiltration understand removed forofadministration a sinister complex of from Jewsthan purposes. folk legal heinto of thinking couldjustice systemthe It judiciary; affordwas was andwhich "the ex-the to filehadReichstag.42withset it intoreceived halfin motion.court the Boeckel thelawsat the "Ifstrongest now heelswe said didon of of impulseour away"grinning" himself books," with when that the Jews.43Ahlwardt his he Jews, conversionhad weseen once could dejected exclaimedto anti-Semitismalso peasantsdo inaway the defendveterananti-Semiticas evidence themselvesof racial ofargumentation the anti-Semitism, miscarriage byThe law. very is"The to ofimpartialityagainst be Zentralverein racial found the justice. in attempts theof the deutscherprotestsA peculiarlaw of German and of Staatsburger Williexampleof law Jews Buch, enforcement toof was taken wasthecriminalingfüdis'chen public'Denouncers'the bound anti-Semitic code. Glaubens,"44prosecutor, by Forlaw League.' thisto newspapers followon reason writes the Unfortunately, strengthup it Buch, [theandall these Zentralverein] speakers "tookof the denunciationsthe upon notorious publicand itself bringing was prosecutor's thearticle generally and task them 166the of watch- beforecourts ofcalledoffice the thewere best forced of my to knowledge, pronounce notsentences a single THE FIRST WAVE OF RACIAL ANTI-SEMITISM which oftenanti-Semite were very who hard. was To at all active 97 Zentralverein'swereferringthroughin the brought interests to writing, Fritsch's against efforts,of got Germandom,survey away anti-Semitic Buch ofwithout explains:the court paying "Theproceedings fines public or hadgoing to beto told either throughviolators the spoken of the word law orthanks to the and verdicts which jail."45 Re- about theytheinfamousother dirty behaved." citizens fighting about appealed these it? Was The'German to itwilful not,the citizens' courtson naiveté the forcontrary, of protection, the sentencesdamning what tois was revealing. If the Jews resorted to, and how infamously anti-Semitism base andlike any filledinginspiredofthat the followed there in,law the it was atwould liberal onea notdifferent time run aand single likeor Jewish logic. another? this: anti-Semitic "anti-anti"If the the Such, Jews gaps agitator takeindeed, work.in advantage The waswho anti-Semites' the of a law which Buch's argumentation were did not run foul reasoning that think- is abidethuscanprinciple;ours, claim force notin impotence theirs.equality thatan insoluble of Whenbeing with by the theimpartialdilemmathey law's invoke decisions towardsupon our us all.Germans:and This see itsis either aspirit trick we as the Jew German only by an obvious subterfuge. They law they abuse its highest violated by have to theinfringeJews Jews.Jews was the for always lettertheir benefit,of behind theThe German notionor such we reasoning.havethat laws emancipation towhich go Civicon have with equality beenwas our a justperverted gift of the German people to the for the Jews fight and by tofoundedknowledgmentthewas Jews. generosity conceived onThe privilege appeal andof of as anmercy a to andinalienable the caste of principle the motivated Germans, right. of The the but ideasanti-Semites' by noof ameans corporate as an state ac- voluntary, revocable dispensation granted out of equality of all citizens before relationship thenowpotentatesupon.the law Jews found failedAs hadthe toprotection to unemancipatedsavemanaged impress them behind to them.from wangle Jews the"Equality" people'sonceand which waswrath, they just the had another no right privilege to insist rule-by-law. They had been and remained had depended upon princes and emancipated Jews fashion,mindstheSchutzluden racists of become their did in followers. theiranti-Semitic inextricably Bybest publicizing toThe associateeyes. involvedidea that instead the withexisting terms theof concealinglaw"law"machination had, and in theirsome of the troubles sinister Jews with "Jews" fri the the courts, contributedauthority withto breaking the higher down one respect derived for from the "folklaw and feeling" supplanting and the its re- REhEARSAL FOR DESTRiJCTION losophy.authority,alongcialismquirements with actually and theof "national replacedfunctions swept away salvation."46it of by the the a newcourts, "un-German" one A of generationmore law enforcement,suitedsystem later, to of the impartialNational racist and legal phi-lawSo-