We have been talking about the terrible nature of anti semitism since the beginning of the year. Jews had been welcomed and flourished in Moorish controlled Spain. However, after the Reconquista and Unification of Spain, the Jews were no longer welcome. This will be the case throughout Europe. The Italian States, Poland, Hapsburb and then Bourbon Spain, and Eastern Europe. These conservative countries (remember, conservative, traditional, monarchial, catholic or Eastern Orthodox) supported the concept of a state run church and no religious tolerations. Jews were allowed to live in these countries BUT were forced to live in what will be referred to as Ghettos. Jews could only live and typically work w/in the ghetto walls. These Jewish communities provided an element of protection for jews BUT it will limit their ability to become fully enmeshed with the country in which they live in; generally, these countries were kingdoms. Napoleon was different. As a dude of who came about during the French Revolution he held true to the ideas of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Rev's promotion of religious tolerance. Just as Napoleon would spread the Napoleonic code to conservative countries he defeated, he ELMINATED the laws restricting the rights of Jews and allowed them to live and work outside of the Ghettos in which they were confined.  He wanted Jews to become equals tot he citizens of the country; and to the countries that he was defeating (remember, basically all of Euorpe was conservative at this point until he comes around and changes things.) Whether or not Napoleon did this to promote the ideas of egalitarianism or not, it would certainly fit into the argument of a man of the enlightenment. BUT!! If we wanted to include Machiavelli into the picture we would look at a few simple facts. Napoleon promoted religious tolerance in france. While there was NO official religion(the Concordat w the Church only made Cahtolicism the majority faith) he said Catholicism, Judaism, and other Protestant Sects had full equally. Perhaps he did this to engender the support of those who had typically been oppressed in France w the hope of creating allies in case of a renewed reactionary forces against his rule?  Who know?  On paper, Napoleon wanted jews to become equals in society, to become citizens of the french republic, therefore NATION. Jewish men will serve the state AND in the military. It will be a Jewish officer (synthesis!) named Albert Dreyfuss later in the year who is the victim of anti semistism in France. A conservative France. 

 

****All in all, when the conservative forces ultimately defeat Napoelon, they will reverse the integration of Jews into society and once again force Jews to live in Ghettos. It won't be 'til the end of the 19th century when the Emancipation of the Jews will become more and more apparent throughout Europe. 

 

4 extra credit points to the 4 BEST responses by 3pm TODAY, Dec 28th. Respond "How was Napoleon's approach to the Jews an example of Enlightenment principles? Explain why the conservative forces who dominated Europe would HATE Napoleon, his Code, his reforms. WHY would the peoples he conquered embrace his ideas BUT hate the man?" GO.