"An Unspeakable Jewish Tragedy" – Jews, the Munich Revolution, and the Rise of Nazism

Date: 

Thursday, May 6, 2021, 12:30pm to 1:45pm

Location: 

Zoom (RSVP Required)

The Free State of Bavaria was established in November 1918 by the Berlin Jewish socialist Kurt Eisner. After his assassination in February 1919, Bavaria went through political infighting. Jewish politicians were also prominent in two short-lived efforts to establish a socialist Soviet republic in Bavaria. Following their failure, the conservative government of Bavaria identified Jews with left-wing radicalism. Munich became a hotbed of right-wing extremism, with synagogues under attack and Jews physically assaulted in the streets.

This seminar will discuss the Jewish revolutionaries and the reactions of the local Jewish community as the backdrop to the rise of Adolf Hitler who used Bavaria’s capital city as the laboratory for his new Nazi movement.

Speaker:
Michael Brenner
Abensohn Chair in Israel Studies and Director, Center for Israel Studies History, American Universityy, American University

Chair:
Derek J. Penslar
William Lee Frost Professor of Jewish History, Harvard University; CES Resident Faculty & Seminar Chair, Harvard University

Note: This event requires registration. Please click here to register.