Violence Enters the Home

The Plot Against America

Public hatred migrates into Newark’s streets and the Roth living room, exposing the danger of both mobs and self-destruction.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Winchell Attacked Winchell Attacked from "The Plot Against America". Winchell Attacked The mob gathers Anti-Semitic violence follows Walter Winchell’s campaign through cities where prejudice is already organized.

Winchell Attacked from "The Plot Against America". Winchell Attacked The mob gathers Anti-Semitic violence follows Walter Winchell’s campaign through cities where prejudice is already organized.

Winchell Attacked The mob gathers Anti-Semitic violence follows Walter Winchell’s campaign through cities where prejudice is already organized. The attacks reveal that public speech can provoke a response the authorities may fail to stop. Danger travels News of violence makes Newark residents expect the same threat at home.

A Volunteer Defense A Volunteer Defense from "The Plot Against America". A Volunteer Defense Local preparations Rabbi Prinz and civic leaders organize contingency planning as Newark’s Jews fear an attack.

A Volunteer Defense from "The Plot Against America". A Volunteer Defense Local preparations Rabbi Prinz and civic leaders organize contingency planning as Newark’s Jews fear an attack.

A Volunteer Defense Local preparations Rabbi Prinz and civic leaders organize contingency planning as Newark’s Jews fear an attack. Longy Zwillman’s network forms the Provisional Jewish Police, combining protection with criminal power. An uneasy safeguard The community’s defense reveals how fragile public order has become.

Family Violence Family Violence from "The Plot Against America". Family Violence A private eruption Herman and Alvin fight after arguing about Alvin’s lost leg and the crisis facing Jews.

Family Violence from "The Plot Against America". Family Violence A private eruption Herman and Alvin fight after arguing about Alvin’s lost leg and the crisis facing Jews.

Family Violence A private eruption Herman and Alvin fight after arguing about Alvin’s lost leg and the crisis facing Jews. Their struggle wrecks the living room and leaves both badly injured. Hatred’s inward turn The violence mirrors a public conflict that is already tearing communities apart.

The Newark Gun Battle The Newark Gun Battle from "The Plot Against America". The Newark Gun Battle A night of fear After gunshots erupt nearby, the Roths hide in the Cucuzzas’ flat with a weapon for protection.

The Newark Gun Battle from "The Plot Against America". The Newark Gun Battle A night of fear After gunshots erupt nearby, the Roths hide in the Cucuzzas’ flat with a weapon for protection.

The Newark Gun Battle A night of fear After gunshots erupt nearby, the Roths hide in the Cucuzzas’ flat with a weapon for protection. At dawn they learn that city police fought Jewish vigilantes rather than an anti-Semitic mob. Confusion as danger Even a false alarm leaves the neighborhood less secure.

Flight from Newark Flight from Newark from "The Plot Against America". Flight from Newark The final decision The violence and uncertainty persuade Herman that the family cannot continue as normal in Newark.

Flight from Newark from "The Plot Against America". Flight from Newark The final decision The violence and uncertainty persuade Herman that the family cannot continue as normal in Newark.

Flight from Newark The final decision The violence and uncertainty persuade Herman that the family cannot continue as normal in Newark. He contacts Shepsie Tirschwell and begins arranging a Canadian refuge. A homeland unsettled The family’s departure would preserve life while ending its confident claim to belong.

September 1942

September and October 1942

October 1942, before the riots

October 1942