History question
The emancipation of European Jews that had started with Roman Empire continued into the 19th century as empires in the region became state-nations. In many areas, feeling of anti-Semitism was rife in the societies as various social and economic problems that came with industrialization and capitalism were attributed to the Jews. Such sentiments were expressed through placing social barriers and in print especially among the Western Europe emerging middle calls who become the major advocates of anti -Semitic ideas. The Jews were also facing the danger of being annihilated in Eastern Europe as the new states sponsored destruction and murder of their members which was very overwhelming for them.
In many cases, the general laws relating to aliens could not be applied to Jews and some by-laws had to be made to deal with the issue. In other cases, the changes being wrought by translation to nationhood saw Jews being used as political scapegoats, but some took active roles in politics acting as spies (ÉMILE, 1898). Some Jews were also took-up roles of advocating for their rights and were even ready to incriminate unlawfully. This was in agitation for Jews to perceive as humans.
As the industrial age was progressing and there was increased need for all citizens to be afforded human rights as an important condition in the modernizing societies. Granting of Jew’s rights was being done in some western countries like Switzerland, a process that had begun in Paris. In the mid 19th century, some nationalist wrestled with the idea of how to categorize Jews in Europe and a call for creation of a Jewish state – Zion were being by Jews such as Leo Pinsker (LEO PINSKER,1882).
Reference
LEO PINSKER AUTO-‐EMANCIPATION: A RUSSIAN ZIONIST MAKES THE CASE FOR A JEWISH HOMELAND (1882).1
ÉMILE ZOLA .“J’ACCUSE” THE FRENCH ARMY (1898)
