Progression of Persecution by Carys Anderson

Burning of Jewish books in Rome, September, 1553

ca167 — 2025-09-30 15:12:49 UTC

In 1553, the Roman Inquisition, led by Giampietro Caraffa, decided to publicly burn copies of the Talmud and other Hebrew books in Rome's Campo de' Fiori. The primary goal of this was to get rid of the Jewish teachings and force conversion into Christianity.

This event was significant because it forced the Jewish people to do something they did not want to do. This was also meant to coerce them, and coersion is a very impactful thing especially when done to people who do not want it.

Hep-Hep Riots, 1819

ca167 — 2025-09-30 15:34:19 UTC

The Hep Hep Riots were violent disturbances that were targeted towards Jewish people. They were formed due to Jewish people formally demanding emancipation. Germany politicians responded to this with opposition.

This event was important because it started to spark violence against the Jewish people in forms of riots. Although the local German authorities sent in protection to the Jews, some rulers used the riots as an excuse to not grant equal rights.

Jews settle in Amsterdam, New York, August 1654

ca167 — 2025-09-30 15:45:58 UTC

In August of 1654, twenty three Sephardic Jewish refugees settled in New Amsterdam. This was because they were fleeing from persecution in Brazil, by Portugal. They were first met with opposition from the governor, but eventually established themselves as a community.

This event is significant because it started a movement of Jewish rights in different places. One of the refugees, Asser Levy, filed petitions and was able to give Jewish refugees more rights such as trading and owning real estate.

Jews Expelled from England, 1290

ca167 — 2025-10-02 21:22:33 UTC

In 1290, the Jewish people were expelled from England on orders of Edward I, this was called the Edict of Expulsion. There was growing antisemitism in England due to something called the blood libel, fabricated allegations that Jews abducted and murdered Christian children for blood rituals.

This event is significant because it started more antisemitisim towards Jewish people because of rumors.

Massacre of 1391, Spain

ca167 — 2025-10-03 02:56:15 UTC

IN 1391, there was a wave of mass violence committed against the Jews of Spain by the Catholic population. This forced Jewish people to convert to Catholicism because of fear of being hurt.

This event was important because it continued the persecution of Jewish people due to what they believed in, and forced them to believe something else.

Jews Expelled from Portugal, 1496

ca167 — 2025-10-03 03:02:21 UTC

On December 5th, 1496, King Manuel I signed a decree that expelled most Jews from Portugal. This happened partially because of the princess King Manuel I was to marry, she stated she would only enter the country once it was clean of infidels.

This event was significant because it shows what the prejudice against Jewish people could do, especially if those with the prejudice were in power.

Pale of Settlement Established in Russia, 1791

ca167 — 2025-10-03 03:16:52 UTC

The Pale of Settlement was a western region of the Russian Empire. It was a place that Jews were permitted to live in, though it was seen as bleak.

This moment was significant because it showed the slight willingness of the Russian Empire to actually allow the Jews a place to reside, although not the nest, it was still a small improvement.

Russia began to conscript Jewish children into the army, 1827

ca167 — 2025-10-03 03:24:55 UTC

In August of 1827, Nicholas I made Jews in Russia liable to personal army service, however, Jews were required to provide conscripts between age 12 and 25, compared to others that had to from age 18 to 35.

This event was important because although Jewish rights were slowly being expanded during the time, they were still not equal to non-Jewish people.

Crusaders Attack Jewish Communities, 1147

ca167 — 2025-10-03 03:33:19 UTC

In Europe, 1147, Crusaders attacked Jewish communities during the Second Crusade. These attacks were severe enough that they worsened the Jewish peoples social position in Western Europe.

This event was important because it was one of the many attacks that started violence against the Jews, the Jews in France suffered especially.

Armleder's Massacre Jews of Germany, 1336

ca167 — 2025-10-03 03:42:33 UTC

In 1336, a nobleman claimed an angel commissioned him to gather a band of marauders and murder the Jews. An innkeeper followed the same example, calling the group Armleder, due to them wrapping leather around their arms, and gathered a group to massacre 120 Jewish communities.

This event was significant because it again sparked more violence towards the Jews, and the first man caused a chain reaction for another man to do it as well.