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Chronology of Jewish Persecution: 1938January 21 Minority rights abrogated by Rumania; many Jews have their citizenship revoked. March 13 “Annexation” (Anschluss) of Austria to the Third Reich and start of persecution of Austrian Jews. March 28 Law pertaining to the legal rights of Jewish cultural (ethnic) organizations. Jewish communities are no longer legal entities enjoying civil rights; instead, they can only be legally created associations. April 22 Decree against the “camouflage of Jewish industrial enterprises.” Decree requiring the declaration of all Jewish property greater than 5,000 Reichsmarks (approx. $1,190). April 26 Directives regarding confiscation of German Jewish property. May 29 Hungary adopts its first law restricting the rights of Jews. May 30 Hitler announces to his general staff that he has decided to destroy Czechoslovakia. June 9 Destruction of the Munich Synagogue. June 14 Decree requiring the registration and identification of Jewish industrial enterprises. Creation of lists of wealthy Jews at treasury offices and police districts. June 15 “AsocialAction”: Arrest of all “previously convicted” Jews, including those prosecuted for traffic violations, and committing them to concentration camps (approx. 1,500 persons). July 6-15 International conference held in Evian, France, attended by delegates from 32 countries, including the United States, Great Britain, and France, to discuss the problem of Jewish refugees from Germany, results in no effective help for Jewish refugees. July 21 Introduction of identity cards for Jews effective January 1, 1939. July 28 Decree for the cancellation of the medical certification of all Jewish physicians effective September 30. Thereafter, Jewish physicians are only allowed to function as nurses for Jewish patients. August 1 Office for Jewish Emigration established, headed by Adolf Eichmann. August 10 Destruction of the synagogue in Nuremberg. August 17 Decree to carry out the law pertaining to the change of first and last names. Effective January 1, 1939, all Jews must add to their name either “Israel” or “Sara.” September 3 Prime Minister Chamberlain proclaims his mission to secure peace with Hitler over the crisis in Czechoslovakia. September 12 Jews forbidden to attend public cultural events. September 27 Decree for the cancellation of the license to practice for all Jewish lawyers, effective November 30. Thereafter, Jewish lawyers can only practice in special instances as “Jewish Consultants for Jews.” September 29 Munich Agreement: Britain and France accept German annexation of Sudentenland, a part of Czechoslovakia. October 1 German troops annex the Sudetenland. October 5 Passport decree issued resulting in the confiscation of passports held by Jews. Procedure for reissuance of passports made more complicated. Newly issued passports stamped “J,” designating Jewish ownership. October 15German troops occupy the Sudetenland. October 28 Expulsion of 15,000 to 17,000 Jews who were of Polish origin to Zbaszyn on Polish border. November American Joint Distribution Committee aids Jewish refugees in Zbasyn, Poland. November 2 Germany anounces the "Vienna Award" in which Germany cedes large parts of Czechoslovakia to Hungary and Italy. November 6 Hershel Grynszpan, whose parents were affected by the aforementioned expulsion, assassinates German consular aide, Ernst Vom Rath, in Paris. November 9/10 Kristallnacht: Government-organized pogrom against Jews in Germany and Austria. Destruction of synagogues, businesses, homes. More than 26,000 Jewish men arrested and sent to concentration camps — Dachau, Buchenwald, and Sachsenhausen. At least 91 Jews are killed, 1,000 synagogues destroyed, 7,500 shops looted. November 12 Decree for the “atonement payments” by German Jews in the amount of one billion marks. Decree for the elimination of German Jews from involvement in the economy. Decree for the reconstruction of the facades of all Jewish shops. Jews have to pay for all damage caused during Kristallnacht. Jews prohibited from attending movies, concerts, and other cultural performances. November 15 Jewish children expelled from German schools. November 25 The SS transfers 500 male concentration camp prisoners to the village of Ravensbrück, north of Berlin, Germany. The prisoners begin the construction of the Ravensbrück concentration camp. Ravensbrück will serve as the main camp for women prisoners in Germany. November 28 Police decree pertaining to the appearance of Jews in public: Restrictions in the freedom of movement and travel, etc. December 3 Confiscation of Jewish drivers' licenses. Creation of a “Ban Against Jews” in Berlin. Decree pertaining to the forced disposal (Aryanization) of Jewish industrial enterprises and businesses. Directives concerning the ousting of Jews from German economic life. December Organization for illegal immigration established in Palestine. December 14 Hermann Goring takes charge of resolving the “Jewish question.” Sources: Various books and chronologies related to World War II and
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