What Happened At Kristallnacht In 1938?

This anti Jewish incident was triggered off by the murder of a German diplomat in Paris by a young Jew. This gave the Nazis an excuse to launch an attack on the German Jewish population. In retaliation, they launched a government inspired terrorist campaign against the Jews.

During the night of the pogrom, over 7,000 Jewish shops and businesses were destroyed and some 300 synagogues were burnt down. Two hundred Jews were murdered and 25,000 Jewish men were sent to concentration camps. The results of the event were devastating on the Jewish population. They were fined one billion marks. Jews were banned from public places such as theatres, stadiums, cinemas and museums. Also, larger insurance claims were made. But many Germans were turned against Nazi policies because they were shocked and horrified at their barbarity.

After Kristallnacht, most of the Jews left Germany. When World War II began, they were given the choice of leaving or being sent to concentration camps.

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