The Social Politics of Anglo-Jewry, 1880-1920

Résumé du livre

Examines the attempt of the Anglo-Jewish elite to preserve their synthesis of Jewish culture and British patriotism under the impact of the influx of East European Jews after 1880. Fearing that the newcomers would arouse antisemitism, they encouraged them to move on to other destinations, and pressured the Russian and Romanian governments to improve conditions, but also created institutions to help them. Nevertheless, agitation to limit immigration developed, led by the journalist Arnold White. Argues that although xenophobia and antisemitism were involved, the campaign reflected the Conservative Party's advocacy of protectionism as the solution for British economic and social problems. After resisting the Aliens Bill of 1904, Jewish organizations acquiesced in the less stringent Aliens Act of 1905. The anger of East End radicals and of the Zionists was expressed in calls for public protest against Russian and Romanian mistreatment, and in the Zionist struggle for the British government's support in 1917-18.