Codrul Cosminului (Jul 2017)
Considerations about the Anti-Semitism in Hungary during the Early Post-War Years (1945 – 1948)
Abstract
Despite the fact that in the postwar period Anti-Semitism presents some similar features in countries of the East Central Europe, there were specific social, economic, political, and cultural conditions for the manifestation of excesses in each of these states. The historical facts concerning pogroms in North-Eastern and South-Eastern regions of Hungary show clearly a profound delay and obvious prejudices in the mentality of rural residents, especially in the poorest areas. At the same time, there have been factors that have cooperated in maintaining and perpetuating the Anti-Semitism ever since Horthy's regime was in power. These factors have materialized in what was called "the Popular Anti-Semitism", originating from the monarchy, as well as from the post-war realities of the establishment of the Hungarian-Communist regime (especially against persons of Jewish origin who held the leading positions within the party, administration, justice, and police).
