The patriotism of gentlemen with red hair: European Jews and the liberal state, 1789–1939

Aberbach, David (2017) The patriotism of gentlemen with red hair: European Jews and the liberal state, 1789–1939. International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society. ISSN 0891-4486

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Abstract

European Jewish history from 1789–1939 supports the view that construction of national identities even in secular liberal states was determined not only by modern considerations alone but also by ancient patterns of thought, behaviour and prejudice. Emancipation stimulated unprecedented patriotism, especially in wartime, as Jews strove to prove loyalty to their countries of citizenship. During World War I, even Zionists split along national lines, as did families and friends. Jewish patriotism was interchangeable with nationalism inasmuch as Jews identified themselves with national cultures. Although emancipation implied acceptance and an end to anti-Jewish prejudice in the modern liberal state, the kaleidoscopic variety of Jewish patriotism throughout Europe inadvertently undermined the idea of national identity and often provoked anti-Semitism. Even as loyal citizens of separate states, the Jews, however scattered, disunited and diverse, were made to feel, often unwillingly, that they were one people in exile.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	http://www.springer.com/social+sciences/journal/10...
Additional Information:	© 2017 The Author © CC BY 4.0
Divisions:	European Institute
Subjects:	D History General and Old World > D History (General) > D901 Europe (General) J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe)
Date Deposited:	24 Feb 2017 16:53
Last Modified:	12 Dec 2024 01:26
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/69566

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