November 1938 ⇒ young Jew ⇒ killed German diplomat in Paris. ⇒ Nazis used this as an opportunity ⇒ launched a violent attack on Jews. Plain clothes SS troopers ⇒ given addresses of Jewish businesses + issued with pickaxes and hammers. ⇒ ran riot ⇒ smashing up Jewish shops and workplaces. 91 Jews ⇒ murdered. Hundred of synagogues ⇒ burnt. 20 000 Jews ⇒ taken to concentration camps. Thousands left the country.
⇒ event became known as Kristallnacht ⇒ or night of broken glass. Many Germans ⇒ watched it unfold ⇒ with alarm and concern. → Nazi controlled press presented Kristallnacht ⇒ as a spontaneous reaction of ordinary Germans against Jews. Most Germans ⇒ did not believe this. Hardly anyone protested ⇒ few who did were killed.