Pogrom

A pogrom (Russian: погром) is a form of violent riot, a mob attack, either approved or condoned by government or military authorities, directed against a particular group, whether ethnic, religious, or other, and characterized by killings and destruction of their homes and properties, businesses, and religious centres. The term usually carries connotation of spontaneous hatred within the majority population against certain (usually ethnic) minorities, which they see as dangerous and harming the interests of the majority.

The term was originally used to denote extensive violence against Jews in the Russiann Empire. However, the term's application has broadened.

Pogrom in Southern Victory
In Russia, particularly during the Second Great War, Tsar Mikhail II allowed renewed pogroms against the Jews at the hands of the Black Hundreds.

Pogrom in "Shtetl Days"
The Greater German Reich's Commissariat for the Strengthening of the German Populace oversaw staged pogroms in the tourist-attraction shtetls they built in the 21st Century. The pogroms were planned carefully, and took weeks of preparation: rocks were thrown, certain buildings were allowed to burn, and convicts were allowed to be beaten to death while "praying" in Hebrew. The Commissariat advertised the pogrom weeks in advance to increase interest.

During one such staged pogrom, actor Veit Harlan was injured when he was hit in the ribs with a rock. This inicident was one of the early steps in Harlan's journey to becoming a Jew.