WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.940 Hi, I'm Jesse Alexander and thank you for supporting 00:00:02.940 --> 00:00:06.105 this companion episode of Glory and Defeat. 00:00:06.105 --> 00:00:08.640 Today we're going to take a look at Jews serving in 00:00:08.640 --> 00:00:11.385 the German armies in the Franco-Prussian War. 00:00:11.385 --> 00:00:15.795 It's important to note that in spite of widespread anti-Judaism, WEBVTT 00:00:15.795 --> 00:00:19.980 prejudice against Jews in the German states in 1870 was not 00:00:19.980 --> 00:00:24.810 the genocidal antisemitism of Nazi Germany 70 years later. WEBVTT 00:01:43.010 --> 00:01:48.680 Rabbi Ludwig Philippson wrote in a poem that 1,200 Jews took part 00:01:48.680 --> 00:01:54.040 in the ceremony although other real number was probably only about 60 or 70. WEBVTT 00:01:54.040 --> 00:01:59.390 Philippson's poem was popular among Jews because the events at Metz could be 00:01:59.390 --> 00:02:05.950 seen as part of the successful integration into German society that many Jews wanted. WEBVTT 00:02:05.950 --> 00:02:08.690 The poem reflects Philippson's Joy at 00:02:08.690 --> 00:02:14.490 German Christian comrades in arms protecting the Jewish celebration. WEBVTT 00:02:15.830 --> 00:02:18.230 One greets the other, 00:02:18.230 --> 00:02:21.215 extends to him the brotherly hand. WEBVTT 00:02:21.215 --> 00:02:26.945 Finally, the most beautiful friendship bond is closed in the heart. 00:02:26.945 --> 00:02:31.770 The Christian comrades as faithful loving guards, 00:02:31.770 --> 00:02:35.570 they protected their brothers from morning till night. WEBVTT 00:02:35.570 --> 00:02:38.960 Now all step again quite cheerfully back into 00:02:38.960 --> 00:02:43.310 the ranks to their regiments in the bright moonlight, WEBVTT 00:02:43.310 --> 00:02:47.675 appraised by faith, encouraged to duty. 00:02:47.675 --> 00:02:49.640 They are ready for battle. 00:02:49.640 --> 00:02:53.220 They stand and do not waver. WEBVTT 00:02:53.350 --> 00:02:58.475 Jews received formal legal equality and Germany after the war, 00:02:58.475 --> 00:03:00.365 including in the army. 00:03:00.365 --> 00:03:04.655 But in practice, they still faced discrimination and barriers to WEBVTT 00:03:04.655 --> 00:03:10.490 promotion as antisemitism in the German Empire continued to grow stronger. 00:03:10.490 --> 00:03:13.265 Thanks again for supporting Glory and Defeat. WEBVTT 00:03:13.265 --> 00:03:15.870 I'll see you next week. WEBVTT 00:00:24.810 --> 00:00:26.970 In fact, in 1870, 00:00:26.970 --> 00:00:29.940 many German Jews saw the war as an opportunity to 00:00:29.940 --> 00:00:34.510 show that they were equal members of the German people. WEBVTT 00:00:35.470 --> 00:00:38.975 In this great, glorious time, 00:00:38.975 --> 00:00:44.480 our co-religionists fought shoulder to shoulder with their Christian comrades, WEBVTT 00:00:44.480 --> 00:00:50.160 consecrating their strength and blood to the beloved fatherland. 00:00:51.320 --> 00:00:56.315 All told about 4,700 German Jews served, WEBVTT 00:00:56.315 --> 00:00:59.000 483 were killed or wounded, 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:02.375 and 373 were decorated. WEBVTT 00:01:02.375 --> 00:01:05.720 A particularly important moment for German Jews was 00:01:05.720 --> 00:01:10.370 the celebration of Yom Kippur outside of Metz in 1870. 00:01:10.370 --> 00:01:16.190 The first core gave all his Jewish soldiers leave to celebrate the Day of Atonement, WEBVTT 00:01:16.190 --> 00:01:20.300 which was seen as a symbol of recognition and tolerance. 00:01:20.300 --> 00:01:23.400 One Jewish soldier recalled, WEBVTT 00:01:23.450 --> 00:01:29.750 "It is unlikely that any of us had ever prayed with such fervent devotion, 00:01:29.750 --> 00:01:33.515 even in the most magnificent temple of our homelands, WEBVTT 00:01:33.515 --> 00:01:36.995 as we did in the small low room with 00:01:36.995 --> 00:01:42.510 broken door and windows and walls pierced by shells."