1. Definition of "Jew":
The law provided a legal definition of who was considered a "Jew." According to the law, anyone with at least three Jewish grandparents was defined as a Jew, regardless of their religious affiliation or personal beliefs. This racial classification became the basis for discriminating against individuals.
2. Deprivation of Citizenship:
The law declared that only those of German or related blood could be citizens of Germany. As a result, Jews were stripped of their German citizenship, regardless of their place of birth or previous status. They were reclassified as "subjects" of the state without the rights and privileges associated with citizenship.
3. Denial of Basic Rights:
The law excluded Jews from the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by the German constitution. They lost the right to vote, hold public office, serve as jurors, or join government service. They were effectively denied the civil and political rights that other German citizens enjoyed.
4. Discrimination in Education and Professions:
Jews faced severe limitations in education, employment, and professional opportunities. They were restricted from attending certain schools and universities, and their access to many professions, including law, medicine, and teaching, was prohibited or significantly curtailed.
5. Loss of Property and Assets:
Subsequent legislation, such as the Aryanization Laws, enabled the Nazis to dispossess Jews of their property, businesses, and assets. Jews were forced to sell their properties at reduced prices or had them confiscated by the state.
6. Segregation and Social Isolation:
The law contributed to the social and cultural segregation of Jews. They were excluded from participating in various aspects of German society and experienced increasingly restrictive measures in terms of where they could live, socialize, and access public facilities.
7. Stigmatization and Persecution:
The Reich Citizenship Law dehumanized Jews by categorizing them as a separate and inferior racial group. It provided the legal basis for further anti-Semitic measures and acts of persecution against Jews, culminating in the Holocaust in which millions of Jews were systematically murdered.
The Reich Citizenship Law marked a significant turning point in the oppression of Jews in Germany, paving the way for widespread discrimination, human rights abuses, and ultimately, genocide.