The Jews Of Turkey Between The 19th Century And World War II: From Zimmi To Vatandaş
The Jews Of Turkey Between The 19th Century And World War II: From Zimmi To Vatandaş

Summary/Abstract: The article follows the changes in the condition of the Jews within the larger frame of the transformations underwent by the entire society as the Ottoman Empire turned into the Turkish Republic and the subsequent developments until World War II. For nearly half a millennium the Ottoman Turks ruled a functioning polyethnic and multireligious empire. But thing were about to change with its disintegration at the end of the 19th century, following the birth of nationalism and the nationalist movements. For the majority population itself, the transition from “Ottomanism” to “Turkishness” was not easy, since they had never defined themselves as “Turks”, but as loyal subjects to the Ottoman dynasty. As for the Jews, after moving from the status of a protected minority to that of ‘equal citizens’ (thus loosing their selfadministration autonomy) in the aftermath of World War I they started being regarded with suspicion, especially due to their interest in the Westernization process, but also under the influence of the newly discovered “Turkish national feelings”. Still, despite the complicated evolution of the new republic’s society in general and of the Jews’ condition in particular during the interwar period, Turkey was one of the very few countries that regarded Jews with benevolence in World War II. As such, many felt hurt when a part of the Jewish population decided to immigrate to the State of Israel after its establishment

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