The Image of the Jewish Minority in Weekly “Gazeta Piotrkowska” (1921-1923) Cover Image

Obraz mniejszości żydowskiej na łamach „Gazety Piotrkowskiej” (1921-1923)
The Image of the Jewish Minority in Weekly “Gazeta Piotrkowska” (1921-1923)

Author(s): Daniel Warzocha
Subject(s): Jewish studies, Political history, Nationalism Studies, Interwar Period (1920 - 1939), History of Antisemitism, Ethnic Minorities Studies
Published by: OFFICINA SIMONIDIS. Wydawnictwo Uczelni Państwowej im. Szymona Szymonowica w Zamościu
Keywords: press; local press; political press; National Democracy (Poland); nationalism; anti-Semitism;

Summary/Abstract: The weekly “Gazeta Piotrkowska” was published in Piotrków Trybunalski in the years 1921-1923. It presented the opinions of the People’s National Union (National Democracy). Much attention was paid to Jewish matters. The journal considered that Jews were harming Poland. The Jewish origin of communist activists was emphasized. The worst traits were attributed to the Jews. They have been compared to a parasite that feeds on other nations. At the same time, their love of money, most often allegedly obtained dishonestly, was emphasized. It was no longer a long-standing aversion to the Jewish religion (anti-Judaism), but purely racist thinking, according to which assimilation was impossible, change of religion meaningless, and “Jew-ish blood” was supposed to infect “Aryan blood”. The communist movement and the Bolshevik revolution in Russia were identified with the Jews, going so far as to say that “Bolshevism and Judaism are one thing”. “Gazeta Piotrkowska” also used anti-Semitic fakes that were popular at the time. The Jewish origins of the political opponents of the National Democracy were recalled. The Jews who fought for independent Poland (in World War I and the war between Poland and Soviet Russia) were not mentioned. And yet they also lived in Piotrków. The anti-Semitic propaganda of “Gazeta Piotrkowska” did not have the expected effect. From September 1, 1923, the weekly ceased to be published “due to temporary financial difficulties.”

  • Issue Year: 14/2021
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 283-311
  • Page Count: 29
  • Language: Polish