Jewish Societies Essay, Research Paper

Until the late 18th century, The Jewish societies all over the world were

treated unfairly. Hatred and discrimination were used against because of their

religious practices. Jews who live in predominately Christian or Muslim

territories were forced to covert to the religion of that area. If Jews did not

obey their, then they we either ordered to leave or they would be persecuted.

Before the French Revolution, Jewish, culture and beliefs were not accepted in

most European nations. Jews did not even have rights and were not treated equal.

The French Revolution was one that had a great effect on Jews, because over a

period of time Jews who resided in France were treated as equals, and gained

rights and freedoms. Like many other European nation, it was hard to accept Jew

as equal citizens. In the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of

Citizen," extended rights to every Frenchmen except Jews in 1789. It took

until 1791 to consider Jews as Frenchmen. This caused many fellow countrymen to

raise questions such as, "are all Jews considered equal?" or "are

Jews allow to marry Christian or other fellow Frenchmen?" Napoleon answered

these questions by stating that as long as Jewish religion and practices do not

interfere with their government or state life, that they were free to act as any

French citizen would. Jews were allowed to study their religion and to integrate

into society instead of being excluded. Even though they gain citizenship and

freedom, Jews were also restricted to do certain things. In the "Infamous

Decree", Napoleon put many restrictions on a predominately Jewish business,

money lending. Napoleon used this as a political advantage. It seemed that

imposed these restriction as a way to compromise with French society, and given

them an upper hand, instead of leaving them in debt to Jews. The French

Revolution had a great effect on Jewish life. It did not grant the Jewish

society as whole freedom, but gave Jewish individual’s citizenship in France.

Prior to the French Revolution, many Jews were being sent away or persecuted.

France allowed them to be apart of a nation instead of being that nation

problem. Like any group of diverse people, I think that Jews had mixed feeling

on Napoleon. The Majority of Jews in France appreciated him for granting them

freedom and citizenship. There were many others who wanted a little bit more

than what he had offered such a Jews with political influence. Overall, the Jews

needed Neapolitan, and that they need him. They needed protection, citizenship,

and to be included into a society, which would, let them practice their faith.

He wanted a bigger and stronger French nation.