ANTI-SEMITISM IN THE MEDIEVAL AND REFORMATION PERIODS

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During the Middle Ages, anti-Semitic activityshifted from the regions around the MediterraneanSea to Europe.Jews were systematically barred from manyeconomic institutions. The theologian ThomasAQUINAS taught that because Jews were guilty ofdeicide ("killing God"), princes were permitted totake their property whenever they wanted. Especiallyfrom 1200 on, Jews were required to live inseparate areas, sometimes surrounded by walls. InItalian these areas were called ghettos.In the same period rumors about Jewsabounded. They were said to conspire againstChristianity, deliberately to desecrate the host(communion bread) as they had desecratedChrist's body, and to kill Christian children anduse their blood for RITUAL purposes. Some EuropeanChristians used the last charge to justifylynching Jews for over 800 years. Also duringthe Middle Ages, Jews were expelled from everycountry in Europe except Poland. They fell victimto pogroms or massacres, for example duringthe CRUSADES and the Black Death (1348–50). Inaddition, some Jews were severely pursued by theSpanish INQUISITION.The Protestant REFORMATION (the 16th century)brought more of the same. For example, MartinLUTHER thought he had purifi ed Christianity ofevery impediment that had prevented people frombecoming Christian. He was offended that Jewsdid not convert. In 1543 he wrote a book, Againstthe Jews and Their Lies. In it he encouraged hisfollowers to burn down synagogues and steal landowned by Jews.