What are some Anti-Semitic Laws in France?

Answer 1

Anti-Semitism in France has been vigorous and deadly. Much of French anti-Semitism has taken the form of direct attacks, not laws. However, here are a few examples from among many:

Following the Second Crusade (1147-49), Jews in certain cities were forced to pay a special tax every year. In Toulouse, Jewish communal representatives had to go to the church once a week to have their ears boxed, as a sign of Jewish guilt.

After he came to power, King Philip Augustus ordered all the Jews in his lands jailed and ordered payment of a ransom for their release. In 1182, he seized all Jewish property and banished the Jews from Paris.

In 1215, the Fourth Lateran Council ordered Jews to wear a badge in French Languedoc, Normandy and Provence.

In 1305, Phillip IV commanded that all Jews be imprisoned and seized all their property except the clothing they were wearing. He had 100,000 Jews expelled from France, letting them leave with only ones day's food.

Even the enlightened Napoleon was not free of anti-Jewish actions. In 1808 he had all debts to Jews severely reduced, which vastly increased poverty among the Jews. He also restricted where Jews could live.

In 1889, the Ligue Nationale Antisemitique de France created Propaganda, riots and violent pogroms against local Jews.

On September 27, 1940 the so-called First Ordinance of the Nazi occupiers of France was issued.

That ordinance was followed by the anti-Semitic laws and acts of discrimination against Jews taken by the Vichy regime during World War II.