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Teaching the Holocaust and other Genocides

The Protocols of the Elders of Zion

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The Protocols of the Elders of Zion is one of the most infamous and damaging antisemitic forgeries in modern history. First published in Russia in 1903, the document falsely claims to be the minutes of a secret meeting of Jewish leaders- the so-called Elders of Zion - planning global domination. It purports to reveal a Jewish conspiracy to control the world through finance, media, and political manipulation. Despite being thoroughly debunked as a hoax, the Protocols have had a lasting and devastating impact. 

The origins of the Protocols can be traced to the Russian secret police (the Okhrana), who likely produced the document to fuel antisemitic sentiments and justify the persecution of Jews. They used this document to try to focus the anger and hostility of the impoverished and oppressed Russians who suffered under the autocratic rule of the czars. Scholars have demonstrated that large portions of the text were plagiarized from earlier political satires unrelated to Judaism. Nevertheless, the Protocols gained traction, especially among those already predisposed to antisemitic beliefs. 

Le Peril Juif

French Cover,
"The Jewish Peril"

During the early 20th century, the Protocols spread rapidly across Europe and beyond, becoming a tool of Nazi propaganda in Germany. Adolf Hitler referenced them in Mein Kampf, and the Nazis used the text to justify their genocidal policies. The document's appeal lay in its seeming validation of existing prejudices and fears during times of social and economic upheaval. 

Despite consistent exposure as a fabrication, the Protocols continue to resurface in various parts of the world, often cited by extremists and conspiracy theorists. They have been used to fuel hatred against Jews and to perpetuate harmful stereotypes, leaving a legacy of violence and discrimination. The persistence of the Protocols as a tool of antisemitic rhetoric highlights the power of disinformation and the danger of fabricated narratives that prey on societal fears. It remains a cautionary tale about the destructive consequences of conspiracy theories when left unchallenged. 

Discussion Questions

1. How did the Protocols of the Elders of Zion originate, and who was responsible for creating them? 

2. What were the main themes and accusations presented in the Protocols? 

3. How did the Protocols reflect a reaction to the increased assimilation of Jews into European society at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century? 

4. How did the Protocols contribute to antisemitic violence and discrimination, particularly in Nazi Germany? 

5. Why did the Protocols continue to be believed despite being debunked as a forgery?