Pogrom

A pogrom (from Russian: "??????", meaning "wreaking of havoc") is a massive violent attack on a particular group; ethnic, religious or other, with simultaneous destruction of their environment (homes, businesses, religious centers). The term has historically been used to denote massive acts of violence, either spontaneous or premeditated, against Jews, but has been applied to similar incidents against other, mostly minority, groups.

Modern usage

Other peoples suffered this kind of targeted riots, at various times and in different countries. In the 1955 Istanbul pogrom, ethnic Greeks were attacked by an overwhelming Turkish mob. Other cases involve ethnic Azerbaijanis in Armenia in late 1987 and 1988, ethnic Armenians in Sumgayt in 1988 and in Baku in 1990 (Azerbaijan). Therefore this word is seen today to be used in contexts other than Jews in Russia.

Related Topics:
1955 - Istanbul pogrom - Greeks

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A modern example of a race riot qualified by some as a pogrom is the August 1991 events in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. The 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi are generally considered to be a pogrom against the Sikh community in Delhi. Similarly, religious riots in Gujarat, India in 2002 have led to accusations of an anti-Muslim pogrom sponsored by the ruling Hindu party (and counter-claims of terrorism).

Related Topics:
Race riot - 1991 - Crown Heights - Brooklyn - Anti-Sikh riots - Sikh - Religious riots - Gujarat - India - Muslim - Hindu - Terrorism

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Modern examples of pogroms against other nationals include anti-Caucasian (see Caucasophobia) actions of Russian skinheads:

Related Topics:
Caucasophobia - Skinheads

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• April 21, 2001 in Yasenevo market in Moscow, against merchants from the Caucasus countries.
• October 30, 2001 in Tsaritsyno market in Moscow.
• September 9, 2004 pogrom in Yekaterinburg, Russia, left several people dead and most Caucasian-owned businesses in town destroyed.

Outside Russia:

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• Pogrom in Kosovo on March 17–18, 2004 in the UN-administered Serbian province of Kosovo-Metohia.
• The Rwandan Genocide has also been additionally described as a pogrom.