ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE MEDIEVAL AND REFORMATION PERIODS

During the Middle Ages, anti-Semitic activity shifted from the regions around the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. Jews were systematically barred from many economic institutions. The theologian Thomas AQUINAS taught that because Jews were guilty of deicide ("killing God"), princes were permitted to take their property whenever they wanted. Especially from 1200 on, Jews were required to live in separate areas, sometimes surrounded by walls. In Italian these areas were called ghettos. In the same period rumors about Jews abounded. They were said to conspire against Christianity, deliberately to desecrate the host (communion bread) as they had desecrated Christ's body, and to kill Christian children and use their blood for RITUAL purposes. Some European Christians used the last charge to justify lynching Jews for over 800 years. Also during the Middle Ages, Jews were expelled from every country in Europe except Poland. They fell victim to pogroms or massacres, for example during the CRUSADES and the Black Death (1348–50). In addition, some Jews were severely pursued by the Spanish INQUISITION. The Protestant REFORMATION (the 16th century) brought more of the same. For example, Martin LUTHER thought he had purifi ed Christianity of every impediment that had prevented people from becoming Christian. He was offended that Jews did not convert. In 1543 he wrote a book, Against the Jews and Their Lies. In it he encouraged his followers to burn down synagogues and steal land owned by Jews.