Organized anti-Semitism in the United States in 1948 was at the lowest ebb since the depression years of 1932-33, it is established in the Encyclopedia Britannica Book of the Year, published today.
"While many areas of social discrimination continue to exist, most of them were localized and revolved about individuals rather than crusades or organized campaigns," the analysis says. "Some of the most outspoken leaders of potential movements of anti-Semitism in the United States were reported to be talking to consistently diminishing audiences."
Pointing out that 1948 was an election year, the analysis says: "Competent authorities observed that there had been less appeal to religious prejudice than in some previous election campaigns. This was understandable for, despite the political tensions of the world, internal conditions in the United States remained generally prosperous."
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