Judaïcité et richesse dans l’apologétique des Conversos portugais : un argument contre-culturel

Abstract

In this article the author intends to revisit the argument raised by Werner Sombart’s essay (The Jews and Modern Capitalism, 1911), which suggests that the religious origin of capitalism was not to be sought in Calvinism, but in Judaism. Using various texts including some written by members of the Jewish Portuguese community and minutes from inquisition trials against New Christians, the article aims to study the founding principles of the supposed link between the Jewish community and economical success. Thus, going beyond the terms of the debate between Sombart and his adversaries, the author explores the possibility of a relationship between their ethnic or religious origin and the image of wealth that was attached to Portuguese New Christians.

Keywords

• Jews
• richness
• New Christians
• Portugal
• apologetics