19th Century: Religious Hatred and Anti-Semitism

This section focuses on the role of religious hatred and antisemitism during the 19^th Century had on migration to Britain. The 19th century was a time of significant social, political, and economic change, both in Britain and across the world. While there was less religious unrest compared to earlier periods, issues of religious hatred and anti-Semitism continued to affect many communities, particularly in Europe. Racial and religious tensions persisted, particularly towards Catholics and Jews.

Decline of Religious Unrest, But Persistent Prejudices

In the 19th century, religious divisions between Catholics and Protestants did not result in the same levels of violence or upheaval as they had in previous centuries, such as during the Reformation or the English Civil War. However, significant religious tensions remained, especially between Catholic and Protestant communities in places like Ireland. Despite a more stable environment in Europe, there was still much religious prejudice — especially directed at those who were perceived to be outsiders or adherents to less dominant faiths.

The Irish Catholic Experience

Most of the Irish population remained Catholic throughout the 19th century, in stark contrast to the Protestant English rulers. The Irish were subjected to deep religious and political discrimination, especially by the British government. This animosity came to a head during the Great Irish Famine of the 1840s, when the Irish suffered devastating crop failures, leading to widespread hunger, disease, and death. The British government's inadequate response to the famine was widely believed to be driven, at least in part, by anti-Catholic sentiment. The perception that the Irish were treated with indifference or even hostility due to their Catholic faith exacerbated existing tensions between the two groups.

This period of Irish suffering, which led to the death of over a million people and the emigration of many more, highlights how religious prejudice still shaped the political landscape, even in an era of supposed religious tolerance.

Anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe: The Rise of Pogroms

While Britain did not experience the same level of anti-Semitism as other parts of Europe, the 19th century saw a dramatic rise in violence against Jewish communities across Europe, particularly in Eastern Europe. The deeply rooted religious animosity between Christians and Jews had existed for centuries, but during this period it often escalated into violent outbreaks.

The Rise of Anti-Semitic Violence

One of the most violent episodes of anti-Semitism in the 19th century was the series of pogroms that occurred in the Russian Empire, particularly in the late 19th century. The first major wave of violence erupted in 1881, allegedly sparked by a rumour that Jews were involved in the assassination of Tsar Alexander II. This led to widespread violence against Jewish communities, culminating in the death of 40 Jews. The hatred towards Jewish people, stirred by political and social unrest, festered throughout Eastern Europe and spread across the Russian Empire.

Between 1903 and 1906, the Russian Empire experienced a second, more brutal wave of pogroms. These attacks resulted in the deaths of an estimated 2,000 Jews, with many more injured. Jewish homes, synagogues, and businesses were looted and destroyed, and many Jews were left homeless or forced to flee.

The violence against Jews in the Russian Empire and elsewhere in Eastern Europe was not simply the result of isolated incidents; it reflected deeply ingrained anti-Semitic ideology that was promoted by both religious leaders and political authorities. This created an atmosphere where Jews were scapegoated for a variety of social, political, and economic issues, including the assassination of leaders and the rise of revolutionary movements.

Jewish Migration and the Search for Refuge

The waves of pogroms in the late 19th century and early 20th century were a driving force behind the mass migration of Jews from Eastern Europe. Faced with violence and persecution, hundreds of thousands of Jews fled their homelands in search of safety and a better life. Many of them made their way to the United States, which became a primary destination for Jewish refugees seeking religious and political freedom. The promise of new opportunities in America, as well as the potential for a more tolerant society, led many to risk the dangerous journey across the Atlantic.

However, not all Jewish migrants chose to cross the ocean. A significant number of Jewish families sought refuge closer to home, particularly in Britain. By the late 19th century, Britain became a major destination for Jewish migrants, particularly in cities like London, Manchester, and Leeds. These areas had thriving Jewish communities, and many new arrivals settled in the East End of London, specifically around Spitalfields and Whitechapel, which were already established as Jewish enclaves.

The East End of London became the epicentre of Jewish life in Britain. It was here that many Russian and Polish Jews found refuge, and over time, they established businesses, schools, synagogues, and social organisations that would play a key role in the development of the Jewish community in Britain. This migration not only helped shape the cultural landscape of British cities but also led to significant changes in the country’s economy, particularly in industries like tailoring, garment manufacturing, and food production.

Conclusion: The Legacy of Religious Hatred and Migration

The 19th century saw a rise in both religious hatred and anti-Semitism, particularly in Eastern Europe. The violence and persecution faced by Jewish communities, particularly in the Russian Empire, led to significant migration, as Jewish people sought safety and a better future in places like Britain and the United States. These migrations had lasting effects on both the Jewish communities in these new countries and on the societies that welcomed them.

While the Irish Catholics in Britain endured significant discrimination and hardship, particularly during the Great Famine, the Jewish migration in response to anti-Semitic violence was another example of how religious and racial prejudices continued to shape migration patterns in the 19th century. Despite these challenges, the Jewish community in Britain, particularly in London’s East End, was able to flourish and contribute significantly to British society. These movements of people reflect the broader themes of religious intolerance and persecution that were prevalent across Europe during the period, but they also highlight the resilience of communities in the face of adversity.