The Scattered Nation facts for kids

The Scattered Nation is a speech written by Zebulon Baird Vance, a U.S. Senator and former Confederate officer. He wrote it between 1868 and 1870. In this speech, Vance praised the achievements of Jewish people. He believed they had contributed greatly to Western civilization. However, the speech also contained racist ideas. It praised white Jews from Central and Western Europe, but spoke negatively about Black people and Jews of color. Vance was known for defending Jewish people when antisemitism (prejudice against Jews) was common in the American South. For many years, Jewish communities in North Carolina remembered Vance positively. But in recent times, his reputation has changed because of his racist views, his support for slavery, and his use of Jewish stereotypes.

What Was "The Scattered Nation"?

Vance first wrote "The Scattered Nation" between 1868 and 1870. The speech was printed in 1904 and again in 1916. Vance gave this speech many times across the United States during his 20 years as a Senator. People often filled lecture halls to hear him speak.

Vance's Ideas About Jewish People

In his speech, Vance said that "the race of Shem" (a term for Jewish people) created many great things in Western civilization. This included monotheism, which is the belief in one God. Vance believed that Christians followed in the footsteps of Jews, sharing their glory. He also claimed that Jewish people had a very "pure" and ancient family history.

Vance had specific ideas about different Jewish groups. He praised Jews from Central and Western Europe, calling them "the most intelligent and civilized." He thought these groups were very successful in business and finance. He even mentioned the Rothschild family, a famous banking family, saying they showed "genius" in controlling money matters worldwide.

However, Vance also made negative comments about other Jewish groups. He described non-European Jews, such as those from Africa or Asia, as "lowest" in wealth and intelligence. He also called Orthodox Jews and other religious Jews from Eastern Europe and the Middle East "ignorant."

Vance's Views on Other Groups

Vance's speech also included strong negative comments about Black Africans. He claimed that Black people had not contributed anything to civilization for thousands of years. He also made negative remarks about poor or working-class Jewish people.

How Vance Is Remembered Today

For many years, Jewish communities in North Carolina remembered Vance positively. This was because he spoke out against antisemitism in the American South. In 1897, a monument honoring Vance was built in Asheville, North Carolina. For decades, a Jewish organization called B'nai B'rith and the United Daughters of the Confederacy held a yearly ceremony at the Vance Monument. This continued until the early 2000s. A Jewish philanthropist named Nathan Straus even helped pay for a fence around the monument and for annual wreath-laying ceremonies.

Why His Reputation Changed

In the 21st century, Vance is no longer seen as a hero by the North Carolina Jewish community. In 2021, two Jewish groups in Asheville said that Vance's speech ranked Jewish people by their origin, with white European Jews at the top. Andrea Cooper, a writer for The Forward, noted that the speech used old and harmful stereotypes about Jewish people and money.

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, who is Jewish, stated that Vance's ideas no longer represent the community's views. Historian Kevan Frazier pointed out that Vance's speech was not written for political gain, as few Jewish people lived in North Carolina at the time. Frazier praised Vance for opposing antisemitism but criticized the speech's anti-Black ideas.