Civic Equality Landmarks of Jewish History
After civic rights were revoked again in 1814, parts of Jewish society continued to strive for legal equality. The struggle for emancipation was a decades-long process. Efforts were made to modernize and to influence the non-Jewish majority society politically. The latter demanded assimilation and conversion. The Society for the Social and Political Interests of Jews, founded in 1845, advocated for equality without abandoning the principles of Judaism.
Jews were granted their first political and economic civic rights in Altona in 1842 and in Hamburg in 1849. This gave them access to new professions, for example. The new Hamburg constitution of 1860 then provided for freedom of religion and complete political equality for all male Jews. In Altona and Wandsbek, this process was not completed until 1863. Like all women, Jewish women in Germany did not receive the right to vote or stand for election until 1918.
1811/5571. Laws under Napoleon
Until 1811, the provisions of the Imperial Decree for Jews of 1710 applied in Hamburg. Like all French citizens, Hamburg’s Jews were granted full political and civic rights under Napoleonic rule between 1811 and 1814. This distinguished them from the situation in Altona and Wandsbek. In 1814, the Hamburg reinstated the regulations of 1710.
Charitable Foundations and Associations
Jewish foundations developed in a particularly diverse manner in Hamburg. In addition to charitable foundations, which were often non-denominational, there was also a commitment to science and culture. In response to the granting of civic rights, the Vaterstädtische Stiftung was established in 1849. Its Jewish initiators wanted to use it to create free housing for Jewish and Christian families.
Setbacks
In their efforts to achieve emancipation, Jews were repeatedly subjected to attacks. All partial successes were achieved against fierce resistance. Antisemitism was based on old stereotypes, economic competition, and Christian anti-Judaism. Since 1819, there had been repeated anti-Jewish riots in Hamburg. These were used as an excuse to continue denying civic rights.