Historical Roots of Antisemitism
Prejudice against Jews has existed long before the modern era. In ancient societies, Jews were often seen as outsiders or a distinct religious and ethnic group, leading to deep suspicion and discrimination. Interpretation of religious differences fueled rumors, hostilities, and exclusion—laying groundwork for the antisemitic tropes that would later be weaponized in Europe.
The Role of Christianity in Medieval and Early Modern Europe
For centuries, Christianity played a central role in the development and spread of antisemitism in Europe, where Jews have always been a minority. Early Christian teachings asserted that Judaism was obsolete and that Jews were responsible for the death of Jesus—a lie reinforced by Church doctrine for nearly two millennia. Jews were depicted as stubborn, blind to the truth, and even accused of diabolical activities.
The lasting impact of such false teachings cannot be overstated. Over time, these tropes were woven into the very fabric of Christian societies, leading to waves of discrimination, violence, and marginalization. For example:
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Jews were expelled from entire countries (England in 1290, France in 1394, Spain in 1492).
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They were forced to wear distinctive clothing or badges, confined to ghettos, and barred from most professions.
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Blood libels: false accusations of ritual murder of Christian children—sparked riots and pogroms, resulting in deaths and widespread suffering.
This religiously motivated antisemitism became pervasive in Christian-influenced societies throughout Europe and the world, even in regions with very few Jews.
Secular and Economic Antisemitism
With the Enlightenment and subsequent secularization of society, old religious hatreds adapted to new non-religious, or “secular,” forms. Economic antisemitism, for example, developed around damaging stereotypes portraying Jews as greedy or manipulative. Because Jews were frequently barred from land ownership and many trades, they often worked in commerce or moneylending—positions imposed on them by discriminatory laws, not freely chosen. Yet these realities were twisted by antisemites into myths of vast “Jewish wealth” and financial control.
In the 19th century, these economic myths became weaponized by both left-wing and right-wing critics of capitalism (and, paradoxically, socialism), who blamed Jews for every perceived ill in society. These lies continue to echo in conspiracy theories today.
Nationalist and Racial Antisemitism
Nationalist antisemitism arose as European nationalism gained momentum. Ethno-nationalists, who defined national identity based on ancestry, increasingly labeled Jews as “foreigners” or “cosmopolitans.” The radical ideology of the Nazis, built on pseudo-scientific racial theory, culminated in the Holocaust—a genocide with the goal of annihilating the Jewish people. Jews were falsely portrayed as a biologically inferior and sinister “race,” and stripped of citizenship, rights, and human dignity under the Nuremberg Laws.