Antisemitism in the Turn of the Century

Antisemitism in Russia has roots that stretch far back into its history.  It is evident that the turbulence of the late 19th and early 20th century resulted in the scapegoating of Jewish populations.  The assassination of Alexander II in 1881 resulted in a significant amount of unrest throughout the country, including violent pogroms directed at the Jews.  In these particular incidents it is estimated that some 200 villages were attacked, 40 were killed, and hundreds of women were raped.  It is speculated that the misdirected rage was instigated by the government in an attempt to deflect national attention from the government.  In any case, Alexander III (who was antisemitic himself) actually took measures to stop the unrest as a means of cracking down on an unruly population.  The next and much more devastating pogrom took place on October 18, 1905, a day after the the October Manifesto had been signed.  Over a two week period 690 pogroms occurred, 876 people were killed, 70,000-80,000 were injured, and Jews lost over one million rubles in property.  It is speculated that a number of people who had enjoyed the monarch's position before the signing of the October Manifesto feared declining status.  Many Jews were apart of the populations turning against Russia's government at the time.  The Jewish position in Russia is not much different from how Jews have always been perceived in Europe: the outsiders.  They will always be recognized as being Jewish before being recognized as a fellow citizen.  This level of xenophobia allows groups that have perceived some sort of wrong-doing against them to easily vent their anger on the "others."