Neighbors in Conflict: The Irish, Germans, Jews, and Italians of New York City, 1929-1941

Description

During the 1930s, as a result of the Depression, competition for housing, jobs, and political representation sharpened as the Irish political control and economic position declined, contrasting with the rise of the Jews and the Italians. Jews were liable to clash with Italians and Germans due to the influence of European fascism. Discusses the German American Bund, and the non-Nazi German American community which was criticized for failing to dissociate from the Bund. Some Italian Americans working in Jewish-dominated industries were drawn to antisemitism. However, their leadership rejected fascist antisemitic policy. Ch. 5 (pp. 87-108), "Communism, Coughlinism and the Church", describes the intensification of Irish-Jewish conflict and the activities of Father Coughlin. The mainly Irish "Christian Front" engaged in physical attacks on Jews. Also deals with ethnic tensions around America's entry into the war and in the mayoral campaigns.