Christian Wilhelm Dohm's 'The Jews, A History'

Christian Wilhelm Dohm, the Prussian bureaucrat gave rise to debate and controversy on the argument of Jewish emancipation. He was determined to transform the Jews in a way that would make them more useful in society. His ideas greatly influenced Jewish life during the age of Enlightenment.

Instead of blaming the Jewish difference on inherent Jewish culture or religion, Dohm believed historically Jews have not been treated well. In the textbook The Jews, A History it states, in Dohms opinion, “nothing was inherently wrong with the Jews that would prevent them from fulfilling their obligations to the state. If Christians treated them well, then Jews respond in kind” Dohms concluded that the reason for the “moral corruption” of Jews was due to the poor treatment they received.

Dohm wanted to create better living standards for the Jewish community, he believed by removing restrictions on Jews they would become “better” citizens. In the text The Jews, A History, it states “His argument that the Jews be emancipated was intended to make them “happier, better people, more useful members of society” Dohm proposed numerous ideas to bring about the “moral improvement” of Jews. He desired to abolish economic
They both shared the major idea that if the Jews were treated better they would respond in kind. In the text The Jews, A History it states, “Joseph ll issued his Edict of Toleration, which sought to ”make the Jewish nation useful and serviceable to the state mainly through better education and enlightenment of its youth…”the edict promised many social benefits to Jews” Dohms belief in removing restrictions on the Jews was implemented by Joseph lls edict of abolishing laws forcing Jews to wear distinctive clothing and laws prohibiting them exiting their homes on certain days. Joseph ll ideas were more based on the reformation of Jewish education to better fit