Civil-war pogroms · Ukraine · 1918–1921
Political breakdown and competing armed movements brought mass anti-Jewish violence.
Explore UkrainePublished by WTJPublication updated
1918–1921
Civil-war pogroms · Each army can invent its own Jewish enemy
Political breakdown and competing armed movements brought mass anti-Jewish violence.
War after the revolution
After the Russian Revolution and the collapse of imperial power, armies and local forces competed across Ukraine. Jewish civilians faced pogroms during the civil-war period. The danger came from multiple armed camps, rather than one uniform national movement or every person seeking Ukrainian independence.
The false Bolshevik equation
Antisemites treated the involvement of some Jews in revolutionary movements as proof that Jews collectively controlled Bolshevism. Jewish communities in fact contained many opposing political views. The accusation made civilians answerable for a revolution regardless of what they believed or had done.
Authority fails or participates
Some commanders encouraged attacks, others failed to prevent them, and some attempted restraint. Looting and violence could be justified through claims of fighting revolution or defending the nation. Following specific forces and orders explains how political rhetoric became permission to attack local families.