Jewish Expulsion History

History of expulsions of Jews

The history of expulsions of Jews spans over two millennia, reflecting a persistent pattern of persecution and displacement across various regions and empires. This timeline, drawn from extensive historical records, highlights key instances of expulsions and the broader context of anti-Jewish policies, demonstrating how these events shaped the Jewish diaspora.

Ancient and Early Medieval Expulsions

The earliest recorded expulsions of Jews date back to antiquity, often tied to political upheavals and conquests. In 722 BCE, the Assyrians destroyed the Kingdom of Israel, deporting ten of the twelve Jewish tribes, marking one of the first major displacements^[1]. This was followed by the Babylonian expulsion in 586 BCE, where a majority of Jews were forcibly removed from Judah after the destruction of the First Temple^[1]. The Roman expulsion in 70 CE, following the destruction of the Second Temple, displaced over a million Jews from Judea, significantly contributing to the Jewish diaspora^[1]. Later, in 429 CE, the Byzantines expelled many Jews from Jerusalem, and between 614-617 CE, the Persians expelled the majority of Jews from the same city^[1]. These early expulsions often resulted from military conquests and efforts to suppress Jewish revolts or religious practices.

During the early medieval period, expulsions continued under various rulers. In 250 CE, Jews were expelled from Carthage, and in 325 CE from Jerusalem^[2]. The Visigothic rulers in Spain expelled Jews in 612 CE and again in 642 CE, often accompanied by forced conversions, as seen in 681 CE^[2]. These actions were frequently motivated by religious policies aiming to enforce Christian dominance, with additional instances of book burnings and property confiscations, such as in Persia in 351 CE and Italy in 357 CE^[2].

Medieval Europe and the Crusades

The medieval period in Europe saw a dramatic increase in expulsions, massacres, and anti-Jewish legislation, often driven by religious zeal, economic resentment, and social scapegoating. The Crusades, beginning in the late 11th century, intensified violence against Jewish communities. In 1096 CE, during the First Crusade, one-third of the Jewish population in Northern France and Germany was massacred, with specific attacks in Hungary and Ratisbon^[2]. In 1099 CE, Crusaders expelled and burned Jews alive in Jerusalem^[2][1]. Throughout the 12th and 13th centuries, expulsions became more frequent across Europe. France saw expulsions in 1181 CE and 1306 CE, with the latter evicting Jews from most territories until 1789^[2][3]. England expelled all Jews in 1290 CE under King Edward I, with many drowning during their forced departure^[2]. This period also saw the imposition of discriminatory laws, such as the 1215 Lateran Council decree in Rome mandating Jews wear a "badge of shame" and barring them from public employment^[2].

The 14th century was marked by widespread violence and expulsions, often linked to the Black Death, during which Jews were falsely blamed for spreading the plague. In 1348-1349 CE, Jews were burned alive or expelled from numerous regions, including France, Spain, Switzerland, Hungary, and various German cities like Worms and Strasbourg^[2]. The century also saw mass slaughters, such as in Toledo in 1368 CE, where 8,000 Jews were killed^[2]. Expulsions continued in Germany and France in 1394 CE, further marginalizing Jewish communities^[2][3].

Late Medieval to Early Modern Period: The Spanish Expulsion and Beyond

One of the most infamous expulsions occurred in 1492 CE in Spain, under the Alhambra Decree issued by the Catholic Monarchs Isabella I and Ferdinand II. This forced the departure of an estimated 40,000 to 100,000 Jews who refused conversion to Catholicism, while others converted under duress^[2][4]. Many fled to Portugal, only to face expulsion again in 1497 CE^[2][1]. This event marked the end of a significant Jewish presence in the Iberian Peninsula, where Jews had thrived culturally and economically for centuries, and had lasting impacts on the Jewish diaspora, with many settling in North Africa, the Ottoman Empire, and Italy^[4].

Expulsions persisted across Europe into the early modern period. Lithuania expelled Jews in 1495 CE, and Germany followed in 1499 CE^[2]. Italy saw expulsions from Genoa in 1550 CE and the Papal States in 1569 CE^[2]. The 17th century brought further displacements, including from Vienna in 1670 CE and various Russian territories in 1654 CE and 1669 CE^[2]. These actions were often accompanied by mob attacks and public executions, as seen in Cracow in 1663 CE and Lisbon in 1647 CE^[2].

Modern Era Expulsions and Persecutions

The modern era did not end the pattern of expulsions. In 1727 CE, Russia expelled Jews, a policy reiterated in 1772 CE and 1804 CE, often targeting rural Jewish populations^[2]. Expulsions occurred in Bohemia, Livonia, and Moravia in 1744-1745 CE^[2]. Even in the United States, a notable instance occurred in 1862 CE, when Jews were expelled from areas under General Grant’s jurisdiction during the Civil War, though this was later rescinded^[2]. The 19th and early 20th centuries saw continued violence and expulsions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, such as the 1866 expulsion from Galatz, Romania, and mob attacks in Slovakia in 1887 CE^[2].

In the 20th century, the Holocaust (1933-1945) represented an extreme form of persecution, though not always classified as expulsion in the traditional sense. On November 15, 1938, Jewish pupils were expelled from German schools, part of broader Nazi policies to exclude Jews from public life^[5]. Post-World War II, significant forced migrations occurred in Arab countries and Iran. Following the Iranian Revolution in 1979-1980, many Jews left Iran due to the collapse of the Shah’s regime and ensuing hostility^[6].

Patterns and Impacts

Expulsions of Jews have been a recurring theme across history, driven by a combination of religious intolerance, economic scapegoating, and political motivations. Between 1100 and 1800 CE alone, Jews were expelled thousands of times from various European cities, as documented in historical mappings^[7]. These events often resulted in forced conversions, massacres, and property confiscations, profoundly shaping the Jewish diaspora by dispersing communities across the globe^[8][4]. The cumulative effect was the marginalization of Jewish populations, loss of cultural and economic contributions in their former homelands, and the creation of resilient diaspora communities that adapted to new environments despite adversity.

This history underscores a long-standing pattern of anti-Jewish prejudice, with expulsions serving as a tool for exclusion and control across diverse historical and geographical contexts. While the specific triggers varied—ranging from religious decrees to economic crises—the underlying theme of systemic discrimination persisted, leaving a lasting imprint on Jewish history and identity.

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• https://www.reddit.com/r/Judaism/comments/17f068n/building_a_timeline_of_jewish_expulsions_from/      
• https://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/historyjewishpersecution/                     
• https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/expulsions  
• https://www.britannica.com/topic/Judaism/Marginalization-and-expulsion   
• https://www.museumoftolerance.com/education/teacher-resources/holocaust-resources/timeline-of-the-holocaust.html 
• https://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/news/the-expulsion-of-jews-from-arab-countries-and-iran--an-untold-history 
• https://jewishstudies.washington.edu/who-are-jews-jewish-history-origins-antisemitism/ 
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecution_of_Jews