Żydokomuna

Żydokomuna is a term that emerged in Poland during the 20th century, particularly in the interwar period and after World War II. It is a portmanteau of the Polish words Żyd (Jew) and komuna (commune or communism), and it refers to a stereotype or conspiracy theory that Jews were disproportionately involved in the promotion and implementation of communism in Poland and other Eastern European countries.

Historical Context

The concept of Żydokomuna is deeply rooted in the complex socio-political history of Poland and Eastern Europe. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Jews in Eastern Europe were involved in various socialist and communist movements. This was partly due to the oppressive conditions they faced under Tsarist Russia and other regimes, which led them to seek radical political change.

After the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Bolsheviks came to power, and some Jews were indeed prominent in the Bolshevik movement. This fact was used by anti-Semitic propagandists to claim that Jews were the driving force behind communism, a claim that ignored the diversity of political beliefs among Jews and the participation of many non-Jews in communist movements.

Żydokomuna in Interwar Poland

In the interwar period, Poland regained its independence after over a century of partitions. The newly re-established Polish state faced numerous challenges, including ethnic tensions. The Jewish population in Poland was significant, and anti-Semitic attitudes were prevalent. Żydokomuna became a popular trope among right-wing and nationalist groups, who used it to scapegoat Jews for the social and economic problems facing the country.

Post-World War II and Communist Poland

After World War II, Poland fell under Soviet influence and became a communist state. Some Jews were involved in the new communist government, which further fueled the Żydokomuna stereotype. However, the Jewish community in Poland had been decimated by the Holocaust, and those who remained were a small minority.

The Żydokomuna myth was used by both the communist regime and its opponents. The regime sometimes accused its enemies of being anti-Semitic, while its opponents accused the regime of being controlled by Jews. This stereotype persisted despite the fact that the majority of Polish communists were not Jewish.

Criticism and Impact

The Żydokomuna stereotype has been widely criticized by historians and scholars as a baseless and harmful myth. It has been used to justify anti-Semitic attitudes and actions, and it has contributed to the marginalization and persecution of Jews in Poland and other Eastern European countries.

Also see

• Anti-Semitism in Poland
• Communism in Poland
• History of the Jews in Poland
• Russian Revolution
• Bolshevik Party