Kristallnacht, November 1938

What was Kristallnacht?

During Kristallnacht (also known as The Night of Broken Glass or Crystal Night), the SA and ordinary Germans attacked Jewish shops, homes and synagogues. About 100 Jews were murdered, synagogues were burned and 20,000 Jews were sent to concentration camps.

When was Kristallnacht?

Kristallnacht started on the evening of 9th November, 1938 and carried on into the morning of the 10th November, 1938.

Why did Kristallnacht happen?

Kristallnacht happened because on 7th November, 1938, a German man, Ernst vom Rath, was shot in the German embassy in Paris by a Polish Jew and the Nazis used this event as an excuse to attack the Jews.

What happened during Kristallnacht?

There were 3 main events that took place during Kristallnacht:

• ❖ On 8th November, 1938, Goebbels ordered the newspapers to print anti-Jewish stories in Hanover. As a result, there were local attacks in Hanover on Jews and synagogues.
• ❖ On 9th November, Hitler decided the attacks should go nationwide and ordered the police to not stop them. The attacks had to appear as if they were being carried out by ordinary German citizens, not the Nazi Party.
• ❖ Gangs all over Germany attacked Jewish businesses, homes and synagogues.

What were the results of Kristallnacht?

There were 4 key results of Kristallnacht:

• ❖ Approximately 200 synagogues were burned.
• ❖ About 100 Jews were murdered.
• ❖ 20,000 Jews were arrested and put in concentration camps by 12th November, 1938.
• ❖ The Nazis fined the Jews 1 billion marks.

What was the significance of Kristallnacht?

Kristallnacht was significant because it became the turning point in what was considered acceptable behaviour and attitudes toward the Jewish population. After this event, violence against Jews was now considered acceptable.