Berlin movement

The " Berlin Movement " was an anti-Semitic coalition movement that was active in the 1880s in the German Empire.

Rise and time of success

The " Berlin Movement " was born from the resurgent German anti-Semitism late 1870s. This is not a party or a club, but a collective term for a variety of groups and individuals whose common denominator was the hatred of Jews. Main reference points for the anti-Semitic ideology of " Berlin Movement " was a diffuse anti-liberalism and anti-capitalism in the aftermath of the founders crash of 1873, the fear of an increase in social democracy and the rise of ethnic- racial nation understanding in the educated middle class. Especially pointedly awarded the writings of publicists Otto Glagau this thought expression. Encouraged himself saw the " Berlin Movement " by Bismarck's conservative turn of 1878 /79 in which he broke with liberalism and a socially conservative domestic policy initiated ( socialist law, social legislation, end of the Kulturkampf ). Bismarck orchestrated the " Berlin Movement " targeted to the weakening of liberalism; likely he financed it even from the Guelph Fund. The Chancellor made ​​her fall but in the early 1880s, again because of their radicalism and lack of political success.

Adolf Stoecker's speech " Our demands to modern Judaism " in 1879 is considered in the research literature is sometimes viewed as the beginning of modern anti-Semitism. Adolf Stoecker and his " Christian- Social Party " initially formed the core of " Berlin Movement ". It included a variety of anti-Semitic, anti- liberal, conservative and pseudo- anti-capitalist groups and individuals, mainly from Berlin artisans and shopkeepers as well as sections of the intelligentsia ( academics, military officers, etc.) were recruited. In its early years, the " Berlin Movement " was supported by the " German conservatives" who so wanted to give a mass basis,. They also benefited from the widespread anti-Jewish and anti-liberal sentiment in Germany as well as from the start of the public debate about the state's responsibility for social concerns. 1880/81 initiated the " Berlin Movement " the so-called " Antisemitenpetition " with the aim to severely restrict the legal equality of the Jews. The petition found a quarter of a million signatories.

Meanwhile in Berlin small ethnic clubs and parties had formed as Wilhelm Marr Antisemitenliga, Ernst Henrici Social Nazi Party and Liebermann von Sonnenberg German People's Union. Unlike the Christian- social they represented an avowedly racist anti-Semitism and generated by their agitation a widespread anti-Jewish sentiment, which also extends into violence erupted (New Year riots in Berlin, Kantorowicz affair, Neustettiner synagogue fire ). This kept the German conservatives not stop them from cooperating in the Conservative Central Commitee with the ultra-radical anti-Semites. The aim was to break the dominance of liberals and the SPD in Berlin. In the Reichstag elections of 1881 stood as candidates in the Berlin constituencies anti-Semites of the " Berlin Movement " for the Conservatives. Despite vote gains they could conquer any constituency, whereupon the cooperation in the Conservative Central Commitee was abandoned.

The Berlin Antisemitism Dispute

At its peak, the " Berlin Movement " in the years 1880 and 1881. Was Attacks from the German Progressive Party, which brought the " Antisemitenpetition " on 20 and November 22, 1880 at the " interpellation Hanel " before the Prussian Landtag. When the German Progress Party inflicted a crushing defeat under Rudolf Virchow and Eugen Richter in the Reichstag elections on 27 October 1881 Berlin Movement, winning all six Berlin constituencies by a wide margin, also distanced himself Otto von Bismarck of the anti-Semite who against them until had then behave benevolently neutral. As a success in Berlin seemed impossible, the anti-Semitic movement concentrated in the following years to the provinces or sought through informal channels to gain influence: Adolf Stoecker was a sought-after speaker, Prince William, the future emperor Wilhelm II was a follower of the " Christian- social ", and even the Emperor granted his court preacher Stoecker and some of his followers an audience.

In addition to the court preacher Adolf Stoecker, it was primarily the historian Heinrich von Treitschke, the positions of the " Berlin Movement " presentable made ​​as part of the Berlin Antisemitism dispute. He had expressed (1879 /80) understanding of the concerns and objectives of anti-Semitism in several articles of the Prussian Yearbooks and warned if the Jews did not change, the slogan "The Jews are our misfortune! " Will resound. He made so mainly among students very well received, while many of his fellow professors antisemitism sharply condemned in a " notables Declaration". The German Crown Prince and later Emperor Friedrich condemned the anti-Semitic movement as a " disgrace for Germany ". The triumph of anti-Semitism in the student body, however, was unstoppable. He was henceforth not only represented by the clubs German students who had been formed to disseminate the Antisemitenpetition, but also adopted by many Fraternities and some Corps.

Decline and aftermath

Through the electoral alliance of the cartel parties before the general election in 1887 came Stoecker and his followers in a plight: they could on the one hand not their constantly proclaimed loyalists to give up, on the other hand they could not even now in the government involved " National Liberals ", the "Jews Party " were supporting. Before the " Social Christian " had decided between authority and anti-Semitism, Bismarck Stoecker dropped, and the Conservatives were at a distance. The sinking of the " Berlin Movement " is now no longer allowed to stay.

With the defeat of the anti-Semites of 1887 was the culmination of the " Berlin Movement " is already exceeded. The membership of clubs and parties declined, the number of meetings took off and many newspaper and magazine start-ups were received. Some of the most radical agitators (Bernhard Förster, Ernst Henrici ) had to leave disappointed about the lack of resonance Germany. Other anti-Semites such as Max Liebermann von Sonnenberg, Oswald Zimmermann and Otto Bockel shifted their activity in the late 1880s in the province, where especially in Hesse and Saxony anti-Semitic associations and parties ups met with considerable response and were able to achieve electoral success in the 1890s. In the long term, these start-ups were similar Stoeckers Christian Social Party, factions within the " national camp".

Importance

The " Berlin Movement " is the total phenomenon still poorly understood. It is often identified misrepresent the effectiveness Adolf Stoecker, but this was just a personality among many others. The historical significance of the " Berlin Movement " lies in the fact that for the first time gave a mass audience the modern anti-Semitism in Germany and especially the petty bourgeoisie achieved sustained politicization effects. About the " Berlin Movement " John CG Röhl writes in 1997 that its importance "for the political and cultural development of Germany can hardly be underestimated " because it politicized to a broad section of society and on the other hand strong support in the academic world, in the Prussian officer corps and the Court found.