This week is the 80th anniversary of the night of violence commonly known as ‘Kristallnacht’, but also known as the ‘Novemberpogrome’ or the ‘Reichspogromnacht’. It was fueled and enabled by a (mostly) democratically elected government. Here’s what you need to know. THREAD /1 
Having come to power in 1933, the Nazi Party took advantage of an arson attack on the Reichstag building to introduce the Enabling Act, allowing the cabinet to make significant policy with no government involvement. A primary goal was the disenfranchisement of German Jews. /2
From beginnings with exclusion from universities and schools, Nazi policy against Jews led to hefty restrictions in business, public government participation and use of public services. The Nuremberg Laws of 1935 further restricted citizenship, marriage and employment rights. /3
In late 1938, the Nazi regime felt emboldened enough to further marginalize the German Jewry through deportations. Those targeted were Jews of Polish heritage, even if they were born in Germany. Thousands were sent to Poland, who would not accept most, making them stateless. /4
The parents of Herschel Grynszpan were among those deported. Living in France, he purchased a revolver and bullets, and travelled to the German Embassy, where he demanded to see an official. When he was taken to Ernst von Rahm, he shot him five times, seriously wounding him. /5
The Nazi regime took advantage of this development by further restricting the rights of German Jews. Among other things, their newspapers were banned. The communication networks that the Jewish community used to communicate and inform one another were severed. /6
Ernst von Rahm died on the 9th of November, 1938, from his injuries. When the Nazi high command heard about this, propaganda minister Josef Goebbels gave a speech saying that there would not be a formal retaliation, but ‘protests’ would not be stopped by the authorities. /7
Secret instructions were also dispatched to the SS - non-Jewish businesses and facilities were not to be touched, as well as foreigners. At this point, the SA (Stormtroopers), Hitler Youth and other Nazi organizations across Germany were informed of the news. /8
All across Germany, Jewish businesses were smashed, their contents looted and owners brought out into the streets to receive a beating. Over several thousand were almost totally destroyed by SA units and those swept up in the rioting. /9
Synagogues in every German state were set on fire and reduced to rubble. Fire services only responded to ensure that non-German businesses weren’t threatened. Some of the greatest treasures of German Jews went up in flames as their place of worship were consumed. /10
30,000 Jewish men, rounded up by the SA, SS and other groups, were taken to concentration camps within Germany, such as Sachsenhausen near Berlin. There they were subject to beatings and humiliation as they were processed by the guards. /11
Nobody has an exact, accurate figure as to how many died, but 91 is put forward as a figure. Some of these died due to beatings they received, others, like the Goldbergs of Bremen, were executed due to unclear orders being given by local Nazi authorities. /12
Despite the violence, damage and carnage, international reaction was muted. 'Concerns' were expressed of course, but Germany’s position as the emergent power of Europe meant that western governments were loathe to antagonize the Nazi regime. /13 abcnews.go.com/International/…
Following the blood and broken glass of ‘Kristallnacht’, conditions for German Jews became much worse, excluded from public spaces and other services. They were not required to wear the Star of David yet, but they lived in constant fear of violence and removal to a camp. /14
It’s important to remember that this was encouraged and supervised by a legally-elected government that believed that it had popular support. ‘Kristallnacht’ was no sudden lawbreaking - the country was at the point where it was accepted by the international community. /15
If you would like to know more about the events of November 9th, 1938, please follow accounts like @yadvashem, @AuschwitzMuseum, @ushmm and @holocaustuk, who will be sharing resources. This is also an excellent overview of events. /16 jewishvirtuallibrary.org/background-and…
Never Again. /FIN
