Decree on the Elimination of the Jews from Economic Life - November 11, 1938

On November 11, 1938, in the aftermath of the violent pogrom known as Kristallnacht, the Nazi regime in Germany issued the “Decree on the Elimination of the Jews from Economic Life.” This decree was a significant step in the systematic exclusion of Jews from the German economy and society, further entrenching the anti-Semitic policies of the Nazi government.

Context and Background

• Kristallnacht: Also known as the “Night of Broken Glass,” Kristallnacht occurred on November 9-10, 1938. It was a state-sanctioned, anti-Jewish pogrom that resulted in the destruction of Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues across Germany and Austria. Approximately 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps.

• Preceding Anti-Semitic Policies: Prior to this decree, the Nazi regime had already implemented various laws and measures to marginalize Jews, including the Nuremberg Laws of 1935, which stripped Jews of German citizenship and prohibited marriage between Jews and non-Jewish Germans.

Key Provisions of the Decree

• Business Operations: The decree prohibited Jews from owning or operating businesses. This effectively forced Jewish business owners to sell their enterprises, often at a fraction of their value, to non-Jewish Germans.

• Employment Restrictions: Jews were barred from holding managerial positions or serving as members of boards of directors in any business.

• Economic Exclusion: The decree aimed to eliminate Jews from all aspects of economic life, further isolating them from the broader German society and economy.

Consequences and Aftermath

• Economic Impact: The decree accelerated the “Aryanization” process, where Jewish-owned businesses were transferred to non-Jewish ownership. This not only impoverished the Jewish community but also contributed to the economic gain of non-Jewish Germans who acquired these businesses.

• Social Isolation: By excluding Jews from economic life, the decree further marginalized them, making it increasingly difficult for Jewish families to sustain themselves and survive.

• Escalation of Persecution: This decree was part of a broader strategy of increasing persecution that would eventually lead to the Holocaust. It marked a transition from social and economic marginalization to more overt and violent forms of persecution.

Historical Significance

The “Decree on the Elimination of the Jews from Economic Life” is a stark example of the systematic and bureaucratic nature of Nazi anti-Semitism. It highlights how legal and economic measures were used to disenfranchise and dehumanize the Jewish population, setting the stage for the more horrific atrocities that would follow during World War II. This decree is a reminder of the dangers of state-sponsored discrimination and the importance of vigilance against such policies in any form.