ANTI - SEM'ITISM (anti ± Sem ites, i.e., Jews). A movement based on race hatred of the Jew, due to social and economic causes, in Germany, Austria and France, and partly also to political causes in Russia. The movement has crystallized in sonic countries into an anti-Semi tie political party. A political party organized in Berlin in 1879 sought to place Jews under po litical disabilities. The leaders of the party were Stocker, court preacher of Prussia and a so-called Christian Socialist; Professor Treit schke, of the University of Berlin, an historian and deputy in the Reichstag; and Dr. Diihring, author of treatises on history and philosophy. Throughout 1S79 and 1880 these men, through the press, in speeches, and in various ways, de plored the presence in Germany of an active, wealthy. and powerful people, incapable of as similation, who are opposed to Christian civiliza tion in all its phases. The matter was brought to a vote in the Reichstag in 1880; but that body declared itself in favor of economic and religious liberty by a decisive vote. The Anti-Semitic Party became a strong one in the Reichstag, how ever, in the early nineties. In France the Anti
Semitic propaganda was begun by Edward Dru mont, editor of La Libre Parole, about 188'2, and was carried on until the movement reached a climax in the affairs Dreyfus. See DREYFUS.
Since its organization in Germany the Anti Semitic Party has been organized in Russia, Austria, Greece, and Holland. As the .Jews ill Russia are to a great extent kept out of the ordi nary trades, many of them have resorted to the business of money lending,and by means of mort gages placed to secure loans they have obtained control of small landed properties. This fact, coupled with religions prejudice, caused the Anti-Semitic movement in Russia, about twenty years ago. to assume a most violent. form. Laws preventing them from entering professions and from living in places other than towns and ham lets were vigorously enforced. In some cities, where a majority of the people were Jews. they were expelled without warning. The fierce per secution to whieh the Jews have been subjected in Russia and Rumania has caused an emigra tion on a vast scale to the United States.