Part 13/19:
Most Jews in Europe were initially nestled in southern regions like France, where they worked in commerce and finance. The Crusades and national consolidations brought violence, expulsions, and ghettos, shaping the medieval Jewish experience.
The word "ghetto" originates from this era, with Jewish communities residing within walled-off districts. By the 14th century, mass expulsions from places like France, England, and Germany decimated their presence. The genetic makeup of Ashkenazi Jews, heavily Bottlenecked, reflects these hardships, maintaining a small gene pool due to repeated expulsions and conversions.