Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 11.djvu/242

* JEWS. 216 JEWS. carried out. But a few years after the formation of the German Kmpire, a new kind of anti-Jewish persecution took its rise, under the name of Anti- Semitism (q.v. ), and from Germany it spread to Austria, Belgium, Switzerhmd, and France. It was started as a political move, the promoters desiring to discredit the Liberals and Socialists through the .Jews. The old blood accusation has often been revived, and the .lews liavc been grad- ually forced nut of all odices of public trust and of Government appointment. Tn the smaller Ger- man States full rights were likewise legally con- ceded to the Jews. The first German national assembly, held in Frankfort in 1848, contained many prominent Jewish members. In Austria, the Emperor Joseph II. distinguished himself bj» passing an act of toleration (1782). This act was extraordinarily liberal in its provisions for the .Jews. Not till 1807, however, did they ac- quire the right to possess land. The anti-Semitic agitation has been exceedingly strong in Austria; and attempts have been made (1890-06) to re- enact former restrictive measures, especially in Vienna, where an anti-Semitic Board of Aldermen existed for many years. In Hungary the Jews, who had long enjoyed important privileges, and who had been protected by the ncjbility, were emancipated at the time of the Kevolution of 1848, in which they were patriotic to a man. In that kingdom they are on an absolute equality with the Christians. The .Tews have lived in Rumania (Moldavia, Wallachia) since the thirteenth century. They have not fared bet- ter there than in other parts of Europe. The severest persecution came over them during the last quarter of the nineteenth century. In spite of the Treaty of Berlin (1878). the Govern- ment refused to naturalize the Jews, and has gradually forced them out of all l)ut a few em- ploments and driven them altogether from the schools. The financial and economic crisis of 180!) and 1000 made the lot of Rumanian Jews unbearable and they have been forced to leave the country in large numbers. Spain began to toler- ate the .Jews again in 1837, and they can follow trade or agriculture like other Spaniards : but few Jews have as yet cared to venture back to a land that is filled with mournful recollections. Portugal has about 400 .Tews, and the .Tewish re- ligion is legally tolerated there. Switzerland long treated them harshly, but while they now enjoy full personal liberty in all cantons, popular ill-will has interfered with the exercise of some of their religious observances. In Denmark, since 1814, they have been on a footing of equality as citizens with native D.ines. In Sweden they did not obtain admission till 1776, and then only into Stockholm and three other towns. Citizenship is still conferred as a favor. Norway forbade them to touch its soil till 1860. In Turkey they are very numerous. The com- munities in Constantinople. Adrianople. Smyrna, Aleppo, and Damascus are considerable. Saloniki is almost a .Jewish city. In Palestine, their ancient home, they are rapidly increasing. The city of Jerusalem had in lOOfi a .Jewish popula- tion estimated at 41.000. and agricultural colo- nies have been established in v.Trious parts of the land. But. in spite of the efforts on the part of their European brothers to ameliorate their condition, most of them are very poor. Their numbers in Arabia are not very large, yet they enjoy some independence. Those in Persia have sunk into ignorance through oppression and the general sluggishness prevailing in that country. They are found in Afghanistan, and carry on trade between Kabul and China; in various parts of India, where they are both agriculturists and artisans: in Bokhara, where they possess equal rights with the other inhabitants, and are skilled in the manufacture of silks and metals; in Tar- larv and China, where, however, they are very insignifi<'ant, both in numliers and position. There are nourishing communities in the English and Dutch settlements in the south of .frica. They are also found all along the North African coast, where, indeed, they have had communities for perhaps more than a thousand years, which were largely reinforced in consequence of the great Spanish persecutions. They are especially nu- merous in Fez and Morocco, though they are not always free from the perils of Mohammedan fa- naticism. In Egypt they are few in nund)er, but im])ortant comnuuiities are to be found in .lex- andria and Cairo. In Abyssinia there exists a tribe professing Judaism, named Falashas (q.v.). .Tews at an early date settled on the .American continent, exiled from Spain and Portugal, or taking part in the Dutch and English enterprises in the New World. In the sixteenth century we find some in Brazil, whither they had been sent in company with convicts. In 1642 a large num- ber of Portuguese Jews came from .msterdam and settled in Pernambuco and Surinam. From here they spread to Guadeloupe. Cayenne, and Cura- <7ao. The strong arm of the Inquisition was felt also in Brazil, and many were compelled to com- port themselves as Christians (Maranos), or to emigrate to the West Indies. There were Jews in New .•Vmsterdam as early as 1652; others came from Brazil in 1654. They were not heartily welcomed, and therefore betook themselves to Newport and Providence. The Newport con- gregation was strengthened by fresh arrivals from Lisbon (1755) and Curacao. The old synagogue there is still standing. At the end of the seven- teenth century there were some .Jews in Mary- land. Pennsylvania. Georgia, and the Carolinas were the next places of settlement. This was during the first half of the eighteenth century. During the stru{jj{le for independence, the ,Tews attached themselves to the nation under whose wing they had thus found protection. There were nine .Jewish signers of the Non-Importation reso- lution drawn up in Philadelphia in 1768. .Tew3 were in the Charlestown regiment of militia, and three .Jews served on the staff of De Kail). Haym Solomon enjoyed an enviable rep- utation as one who aided the Continental Congress with his money. Forty-four .Tews figured in the War of 1812. fifty-eight in the Slexican War, and in the War of the Rebellion they were to be found in large numbers both on the Northern and Southern sides. During the nineteenth centui-y the .Tews spread over the whole extent of the I'nited States, and important congregations have also grown up in the larger cities of Canada. From 18.30 to 1870 the immi- gration came largely from the Southern States of Germanv and from Hungary. The riots and per- secutions in Russia have driven hundreds of thousands of .Jews to the Ignited States. To these have been added large numbers from Ga- lieia and Rumania, who have for the most part settled in the large business centres: though efforts have been made to found agricultural