Fact Check: is jew went on a economic war with hitler before the war

Fact-Check: "Is Jew Went on an Economic War with Hitler Before the War"

What We Know

The claim that "Jews went on an economic war with Hitler before the war" suggests that Jewish communities actively engaged in economic actions against Nazi Germany prior to World War II. This assertion is often linked to the idea of a "Jewish declaration of war" against Germany.

1. Historical Context: Adolf Hitler's rise to power was marked by intense anti-Semitism, which he propagated through his political rhetoric and policies. According to History, Hitler's anti-Semitic views were influenced by various factors, including the socio-political climate of early 20th-century Vienna, where he was exposed to anti-Jewish literature and sentiments.

2. Economic Boycotts: In response to the Nazi regime's policies, Jewish organizations did engage in boycotts against German goods. The first significant boycott occurred on April 1, 1933, when the Nazi Party organized a nationwide boycott of Jewish-owned businesses, which can be seen as an act of economic aggression against the Jewish community (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum).

3. The "Jewish Declaration of War": A controversial claim made by some sources, including a 1933 article in The Daily Express, suggests that Jewish leaders declared war on Germany shortly after Hitler came to power. However, this claim is widely regarded as exaggerated and lacking in credible evidence. It is often cited by anti-Semitic groups to justify Nazi actions against Jews.

4. Economic Exclusion: The Nazi regime systematically excluded Jews from economic life in Germany, culminating in the 1938 Decree on the Elimination of the Jews from the Economic Life (United States Holocaust Memorial Museum). This exclusion was not a response to any economic war declared by Jews but rather a part of the broader anti-Semitic policies of the Nazi regime.

Analysis

The claim that Jews initiated an economic war against Hitler is misleading and lacks substantial historical evidence.

• Source Reliability: The assertion of a "Jewish declaration of war" primarily stems from sensationalist journalism and has been criticized for its lack of factual basis. The Daily Express article that popularized this idea is often cited by sources with a clear anti-Semitic agenda, which raises questions about its credibility and intent.

• Historical Actions: While Jewish communities did respond to Nazi policies with boycotts, these actions were defensive rather than aggressive. The Holocaust Explained notes that the economic instability in Germany during the Weimar Republic contributed to the rise of the Nazis, but it does not support the notion of a preemptive economic war by Jews.

• Context of Anti-Semitism: The economic measures taken against Jews were part of a broader strategy by the Nazis to scapegoat Jews for Germany's problems, particularly during the economic turmoil of the 1920s and 1930s. The narrative that Jews declared war on Germany serves to obscure the reality of systemic anti-Semitism and violence perpetrated by the Nazi regime.

Conclusion

The claim that Jews went on an economic war with Hitler before the war is False. The historical evidence does not support the notion of a coordinated economic attack by Jewish communities against Nazi Germany. Instead, the actions taken by Jews were largely defensive responses to the aggressive and discriminatory policies enacted by the Nazis. The narrative of a "Jewish declaration of war" is rooted in anti-Semitic propaganda rather than factual historical events.

Sources

1. Hitler: Essential Background Information - History
2. Economy of Nazi Germany - Wikipedia
3. Anti-Jewish Boycott - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
4. The Role of Economic Instability in the Nazi Rise to Power - The Holocaust Explained
5. The Jewish Declaration of War on Nazi Germany: The Economic Boycott
6. Exclusion of Jews from German Economic Life - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum