[World War II: capital tax since 1942 - arrests,
seizures, deportations of Jews - 1944: release and
canceled law for all capital tax depths]
<The Jews, like the Greeks and the Armenians,
remained second-class citizens. This was both
demonstrated and felt in particular during World War II,
so long as Hitler's anti-Semitic propaganda gained
ground and it seemed that (col. 1457)
the Axis powers were moving toward victory. To meet
wartime needs in the neutral Turkish republic a capital
tax (varlik vergisi)
was approved (1942) which was to be levied on owners of
large farms (Muslims) and other taxpayers. However, it
soon became apparent that the really important
determinants of a taxpayer's assessment were his
religion and nationality.
The taxpayers' lists were prepared according to
denominational indications. M (for Muslims) had to pay
5% of their capital or income (the same grade was
accorded to foreign citizens); the tax rate for D
(*Doenmeh) was about twice as much as for Muslims; for G
(Gayri Muslims, non-Muslims) assessments would be made
by special commissions, in accordance with their
opinions.
In fact the poorest among the non-Muslims, especially
Jewish artisans, wage earners, etc., were taxed at
figures wildly beyond their ability to pay. Members of
the minorities who had retained or obtained foreign
protection at the time of the armistice and Allied
occupation (1919-23) were able to have their assessments
reduced to the Muslim level.
The Jews who had trusted in the new republic and thrown
their lot in with it were subject to victimization and
punishment. Through the spring and summer of 1943 the
continuing arrests, seizures, and deportations were
almost all of non-Muslims, the majority of whom were
Jews. Many businessmen were ruined by assessments higher
than their total possession; others, though wealthy
enough to pay, went bankrupt because no time was allowed
them to find sufficient liquid money.
The pro-Axis press expressed cordial approval of these
developments, and denounced people of "alien blood",
"Turks by name only", who should be punished for their
disloyalty and ingratitude. With the decline of German
power, as the downfall of the Axis became evident, a law
was passed (1944) releasing all defaulters still
detained and canceling all amounts still unpaid. The
Democratic Party even promised compensation for damages
caused to health and wealth.> (col. 1458)
