Roots of the Holocaust

Jewish Diaspora

66 BCE

Jews revolted against the Roman rule after the 4 years of war and the Temple of Jerusalem was destroyed. The Jews were exiled after the war and were dispersed and spreaded out through the Roman Empire finding a place to live. Wherever they settled they had a name to them. Those three names were Sephardic, Ashkenazi, and Mizarahi.

The Crusaders

Feb 16, 1095

Christians, Jews, and Muslims all claimed Jerusalem as their holy land. Pope Urban II called on the war. There so many series of religious wars. The Jews could not get a job, but they did lend crusaders money for the trip. They were not allowed to charge interest. The Jews ended up having trouble selling items because it was hard when they were being hunted

Johann de Wettre Execution

Feb 25, 1292

Johann de Wettres case was the earliest known/documented case for sodomy and execution in Europe. Johann was a knifemaker and was a regular guy. He was accused of raping another man and was burned alive for engaging in an act "detested by God". Johann de Wettre was not the first person executed for sodomy, but his case was the earliest known documented case.

The Black Death

Apr 1, 1348

The Black Death killed 1/3 - 1/4 of Eurasia's Population. This disease was spread by air and by fleas, the symptoms were crucial. Three of the symptoms were Buboes, Vomiting blood, and black skin.The Jews were accused of spreading the Black Death. They were accused by putting poison into the spring. They were tortured for this disease that they didn't spread.

Egyptians Act

Feb 17, 1530

In the 12th century Roma arrived in Europe. In 1530 the Act came about and was in effect. King Henry VIII passed this law because he believed "Egyptians" or also known as Gypsies or Roma, today were degenerates. They were forced out of their homes even if they were good people. 16 days was the amount of time the Roma people had to gather all of their belongings and leave the country because they were banned and their land was taken from them. The law was also passed in 1544 by Queen Mary.

Execution of James Pratt and John Smith

Feb 25, 1835

England was a country who took sodomy very seriously since the first ever sodomy execution of Johann de Wetter in 1292, any man who was caught/accused of doing this was executed. James Pratt and John Smith were the last people up for execution in England for sodomy. The men were charged with having intercourse with each other and were hanged. There was a law passed stopping execution for two men having intercourse. This was not the end of homophobia, but the end of executions for sodomy.