Pogrom

Pluenderung der Judengasse 1614

Hep Hep Krawalle 1819

Pogrom de Chisinau - 1903 - 1

Ukraina1919

Adana massacre in Le Petit Journal (1909)

פוגרום יאשי 1

Pogrom is a term that refers to a violent riot aimed at the massacre or expulsion of an ethnic or religious group, particularly one aimed at Jews. The word is of Russian origin, and historically, it has been primarily used to describe the violent attacks that occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the Russian Empire. However, the term has since been applied to similar incidents in other countries and times, reflecting a broader context of ethnic, religious, or racial persecution.

Etymology

The word "pogrom" comes from the Russian word погром, which means "to wreak havoc, to demolish violently". Its literal translation is "to destroy". The term entered the English language to specifically describe the violent attacks by local non-Jewish populations on Jews in the Russian Empire during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Historical Background

The history of pogroms is most notably associated with the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe, particularly in the Russian Empire, where large Jewish populations lived in the Pale of Settlement. These attacks resulted in the loss of thousands of lives, widespread destruction of property, and the mass displacement of Jewish populations.

The first widely recognized pogroms occurred in the Russian Empire in the 1880s, with one of the earliest and most violent being the 1881 pogroms following the assassination of Tsar Alexander II. Government officials and local populations often blamed Jews for economic hardships or political unrest, leading to outbreaks of violence. The pogroms of the early 20th century, particularly those of 1903-1906 and during the Russian Civil War, were characterized by extreme brutality and mass killings.

Characteristics

Pogroms are characterized by their sudden outbreak and the participation of the local non-Jewish population, often with the tacit approval or direct involvement of local authorities or the military. These attacks are driven by a combination of religious, ethnic, economic, and social factors, and they typically result in the destruction of property, physical violence, and the murder of members of the targeted group.

Impact

The impact of pogroms on Jewish communities and other minority groups has been profound. They have led to the death and displacement of thousands, the destruction of communities, and significant psychological trauma. The fear and insecurity generated by these events have also been a significant factor in the migration of Jews and other persecuted minorities out of Eastern Europe and other regions, contributing to the Jewish diaspora.

Contemporary Usage

While the term "pogrom" originally described violence against Jews, it has been used to describe similar acts of violence against other ethnic or religious groups throughout the world. The term is now applied to any widespread, targeted, and systematic violence against a particular group, often supported or ignored by the state or local authorities.

See Also

• Antisemitism
• Ethnic cleansing
• Genocide
• Kristallnacht

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