Join historian Joshua Teplitsky from the University of Pennsylvania as he dives into the dark legacy of the Black Death. He uncovers how this devastating plague led to the horrific scapegoating of Jewish communities, particularly the violent accusations in Strasbourg. Teplitsky reveals the dangerous intersection of fear and authority, where institutionalized anti-Semitism thrived. The discussion not only highlights the tragic consequences of these events but also emphasizes themes of resilience and communal support during times of crisis.
The Black Death incited a tragic wave of antisemitism as Jews were scapegoated and brutally persecuted for the plague's devastation.
The systematic violence against Jews during this period highlights the manipulation of public fear by authorities to legitimize discrimination.
Deep dives
The Rise of Antisemitism During the Black Death
During the Black Death in 1348, fear and desperation led many Europeans to seek a scapegoat for the plague's devastation. Jews were falsely accused of causing the disease, fueled by deeply ingrained antisemitic sentiments and conspiracy theories claiming they were responsible for poisoning wells. As evidence of these accusations amassed through torture and confessions, Jews faced brutal persecution and mass killings in numerous European cities. The violent response to these unfounded claims exemplified how fear and social panic could manifest in catastrophic violence against marginalized communities.
Jewish Life Before the Plague
Prior to the onset of the Black Death, Jewish communities in Central Europe were integrated into society, maintaining close ties with their Christian neighbors. Although legally considered a tolerated minority, Jews contributed significantly to the economy and culture of their towns. Their existence was characterized by a duality; they operated their own places of worship and community spaces while also participating in the broader social fabric. However, this precarious balance began to shift in the 13th century as increasing discrimination led to stricter regulations and societal animosity.
Institutionalized Violence and Persecution
The persecution of Jews during the Black Death was not merely a result of mob hysteria but was carefully calculated by local authorities who sought to harness public fear. In Strasbourg, for example, city magistrates conducted inquiries into the supposed Jewish conspiracy, leading to the brutal execution of community members under the guise of legal proceedings. This attack was systematic, with entire Jewish populations being rounded up, tortured, and executed, often through horrific methods such as being burned alive. The legitimization of this violence reflects a chilling intersection of institutional authority and popular hysteria.
The Aftermath and Continuation of Persecution
The events surrounding the Black Death set a dangerous precedent for antisemitism that persisted through the centuries, shaping societal attitudes toward Jews in Europe. Subsequent outbreaks of plague in later centuries drew from the same well of suspicion and prejudice, although responses evolved over time. While earlier fears led to violent scapegoating, later societies began to reflect on these events, sometimes utilizing them to develop more structured public health initiatives. This historical trajectory illustrates a complex narrative of fear, persecution, and ultimately resilience within Jewish communities as they navigated continued societal challenges.
***This episode contains a description of mass murder***
As the Black Death moved across Europe, something darker and more insidious spread ahead of it. An antisemitic conspiracy theory that blamed European Jews for the plague. Across Europe, Jews were persecuted and often executed en masse.
Maddy and Anthony are joined by Joshua Teplitsky, Professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania. He studies Jewish life in Early Modern Central Europe and is currently working on a book about plague in Prague during the early eighteenth century.
Edited by Max Carrey. Produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.
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