A travesty of justice

Joseph Süß Oppenheimer is sentenced to death

Duke Karl Alexander von Württemberg largely left financial and economic policy in his realm to the Jewish banker Joseph Süß Oppenheimer. As his prince was always in need of money, Oppenheimer was forced to raise revenue any way he could. The unexpected death of Duke Alexander meant that the highly unpopular “Jew Süß” lost his royal protector: he was arrested and his assets seized. A special court was convened to hear a range of charges, including high treason and bribery, but did not allow Oppenheimer to mount a defence. He was sentenced to death on 9 January 1738. After his execution, Oppenheimer’s body was put on display in a cage for six years.