Anti-Semitism Europe (1879-1914).
National contexts, cultural transference and European comparison.

Profile of a research group

As current controversies about anti-Semitism in Europe show, anti-Jewish sentiments and views are not limited to singular nations but represent a European-wide phenomenon. The research group under the direction of Prof. Dr. Werner Bergmann and Prof. Dr. Ulrich Wyrwa covers three wide thematic fields:

1) was anti-Semitism a pan-European phenomenon in its formative phase as a new political movement up until the First World War, and if so, to what extent?;
2) which role did the specific national contexts play in the formation and particular expressions of anti-Semitism?; and
3)which forms did the new anti-Jewish attitude ultimately assume in the various countries?

The task facing the research group is to systematically examine and depict the development of anti-Semitism in selected European countries, based on uniform criteria facilitating comparative analysis. Moreover, the research group focuses on networks and transnational exchange of ideas and information between European anti-Semites.

Structure:

Since contemporary observers regarded anti-Semitism as particularly threatening in Romania, Russia and the Habsburg Empire, the research group will initially focus on Eastern Central and South-Eastern Europe.
Young academics from Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece study the rise and development of anti-Semitism in their respective countries or language regions. Two additional studies cover Habsburg Galicia and Croatia-Slavonia. The particular projects address both the specific characteristics of anti-Semitism in its differing national contexts and phenomena of cultural transfer. By providing a similar framework of methodology and theory, the research group ensures comparability and coherence of the results.

In addition, further studies devoted to the intellectual transfer and cultural exchange involving anti-Semitic ideas and conceptions in Eastern Central and Western Europe will be set up. A Post-doc project concentrating on the Slovakian language regions as well as a study on anti-Semitism in the Scandinavian countries are already in progress. With regard to France, the Center for Research on Antisemitism has contracted a co-operation with École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS) Paris for a study on French anti-Semitic agitation. The research group’s program will conclude with a comparative study on anti-Semitism in Germany, Eastern Central and South-Eastern Europe. The perspectives opened up by European-wide comparative analysis and issues raised by cultural transfer will form the centrepiece of this study.

Institution series:

The results of the research group will be published in a special series „Studien zum Antisemitismus in Europa“, to be brought out by Metropol Verlag, Berlin. This series will open with a comparative study on anti-Semitism in Germany and Italy from 1879 to 1914 by the co-project head Ulrich Wyrwa. It is also planned to publish new studies on anti-Semitism in other countries and language regions, for example Portugal and Bohemia, in German translation.

Research objective:

The research group aims to answer some major shortcomings of current research on anti-Semitism. Particular focus is placed on the problem of the distinctive features of German anti-Semitism, culminating in National Socialism. As the answer to this problem can only be elaborated by using a comparative approach, the research group is concentrating on the similarities and differences of anti-Semitism‘s development in different European countries. This is achieved by applying a similar theoretical and methodological framework for research within the different studies. Besides, the research group forms an effort to promote scientific exchange and cooperation between young scholars and research institutions in Western and East Central Europe. Finally, the research group sees itself as a decidedly European project which pursues its studies in a comparative and transnational way. It investigates into the position of anti-Semitism within European historiography, memory and cultural self-assurance. Europe can only be envisioned successfully in terms of cultural diversity and plurality. Hence, a history of Europe has to discuss forms of resistance to the integration of „others“. For this reason, even anti-Semitism‘s formation and development has to be incorporated into a modern history of Europe.

Contact:

Scientific Director:
Prof. Dr. Werner Bergmann email: werner.bergmann[at]tu-berlin.de

Supervisor:
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Wyrwa
email: wyrwa[at]zfa.kgw.tu-berlin.de
Tel: +49 (0)30 314-79873

Doctoral Projects:

Habsburg Galicia
Tim Buchen, M.A.
born 1979 in Koblenz am Rhein
2000-2007 Studies in history, contemporary german literature and East European studies at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Jagiellon-University Cracow and Warsaw University.

Scandinavian countries:
Christoph Leiska, M.A.
born 1979 in Aachen
1999-2006 Studies in history, political science and communication at Freie Universität Berlin and Uppsala University, Sweden

Bulgaria
Veselina Nikolaeva Kulenska
born 1982 in Pazardshik, Bulgarien
2001-2005: Studies in history and media studies at Sofia University „Sveti Kliment Ochridki“.

Greece
Maria Margaroni
born 1969 in Volos, Griechenland.
1987-1991: Studies in Classical Philology at Thessaloniki University, Freie Universität Berlin and Hamburg University.
1992-1995: apprenticeship as nurse, Hamburg
1996-2000: Studies in German Language at Athens University and Caen University.
2000-2005: Studies in history, archaeology and social anthropology at the University of Thessaly, Volos

Congress Poland / Kingdom of Poland
Maciej Moszynski
born 1982 in Poznan, Poland
2001-2006: Studies in history and law at Adam-Mickiewicz-University, Poznan

Romania
Iulia Maria Onac (born Pop)
born 1980 in Baiut, Romania
1999-2005: Studies in history, with a specialisation in Jewish history at „Babes Bolyai“ University, Cluj Napoca

Croatia-Slavonia
Marija Vulesica M.A.
born 1978
2000-2005 Studies in history, East- and Southeast European studies and political science at Freie Universität Berlin

Lithuania
Klaus Richter
born 1979 in Oldenburg (Oldb.)
2000-2007 studies in history and English philology at Köln University and Vytautas-Magnus-University, Kaunas, Lithuania

In co-operation with EHESS Paris:
„Le déclenchement d l’agitation antisémite en France (1879-1892)“
Damien Guillaume
born 1977 in Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
Studies in linguistics, literature and history at Ecole des hautes études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), Paris

Post-doc Project:

Slovakian Anti-Semitism in its European Contexts (1879-1914)
Dr. Miloslav Szabó
born 1974 in Zvolen, Slowakei
1993-1998 Studies in history and German language at Comenius-University, Bratislava
1999-2005 PhD student at Karls-Universität Prag
Dissertation: „Rasa a vôla. Alfred Rosenberg a Mýtus 20. storocia“ (Race and Volition. Alfred Rosenberg and Der Mythos des 20. Jahrhunderts)

Center for Research on Antisemitism

Anti-Semitism Europe (1879-1914). National contexts, cultural transference and European comparison.