Antisemitism

About Antisemitism

Antisemitism: History and Myth provides a chronological examination of the origins, development, and persistence of anti-Jewish sentiment from antiquity to the twenty-first century. Robert Spencer traces the evolution of these ideologies across various religious and political landscapes, analyzing how specific narratives and misconceptions have been utilized to justify the marginalization or persecution of Jewish populations. The text offers an overview of the phenomenon, beginning with the pre-Christian era and moving through the Middle Ages, the Enlightenment, and the modern industrial age to document the continuity of certain tropes.

The book details the theological foundations of antisemitism within early Christianity and Islam, exploring how specific interpretations of religious texts contributed to institutionalized discrimination. Spencer examines the transition from religious-based prejudice to the racial and pseudoscientific theories that emerged during the nineteenth century. This shift facilitated the rise of political antisemitism, which utilized mass media and propaganda to disseminate long-standing myths, such as the blood libel and allegations of global financial conspiracies.

The narrative further investigates the role of these myths in the twentieth century, specifically focusing on the impact of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion and the subsequent implementation of state-sponsored violence during the Holocaust. Spencer also addresses the contemporary landscape, analyzing how historical tropes have been adapted into modern political discourse and international relations. By documenting the recurrence of specific themes, the work illustrates how ancient prejudices are repurposed to fit modern socio-political contexts, ensuring their survival into the current era.