Pacesetters of Integration: Jewish Officers in the Habsburg Monarchy
Pacesetters of Integration: Jewish Officers in the Habsburg Monarchy
Author(s): István DeákSubject(s): Jewish studies, Political history, Government/Political systems, Politics and society, 18th Century, 19th Century, Sociology of Politics, Identity of Collectives
Published by: SAGE Publications Ltd
Keywords: Habsburg Monarchy; Jewish officers; confessionally and ethnically tolerant monarchy; 18th-19th century; integration of Jews;
Summary/Abstract: This is the story of the unique relationship between a confessionally and ethnically tolerant monarchy and the Jews who were among its most loyal citizens. The Habsburg government had opened the way to emancipation of its Jewish subjects with various toleration patents in the late 1780s, and Austria-Hungary formally emancipated the Jews in 1867. The monarchy outdid the other European powers in admitting Jews into its most prestigious institution, the military officer corps, and especially into its reserve officer branch. By granting the officers' golden sword-knot (porte-epee) to thousands upon thousands of Jewish civilians, the emperor set an example for society as a whole. Without it, the process of Jewish integration into business, industry, education, the arts, and the administration would have been much more difficult. This essay will attempt to analyze the causes and consequences of this extraordinary development. [...]
Journal: East European Politics and Societies
- Issue Year: 03/1988
- Issue No: 01
- Page Range: 22-50
- Page Count: 29
- Language: English
- Content File-PDF