Adolf Hitler's hatred of Jews stemmed from a combination of long-standing European antisemitism, racial ideologies, conspiracy theories, and political scapegoating. He viewed Jews not just as a religious group but as a separate and inferior "race" that threatened the purity and strength of the German people. Hitler and the Nazis falsely blamed Jews for Germany's defeat in World War I, economic struggles, and political instability, viewing them as enemies responsible for societal problems. Nazi ideology incorporated racial antisemitism, which classified Jews as a dangerous and destructive racial group that needed to be removed to ensure German racial purity and dominance. This hateful worldview culminated in systemic persecution and the Holocaust, the genocide of six million Jews under Nazi rule.

Historical Context of Antisemitism

Hatred of Jews existed in Europe for centuries before Hitler, involving scapegoating for economic, social, and religious reasons. This prejudice created fertile ground for Hitler's racial antisemitism, which defined Jews as a distinct and inferior racial group rather than a religious community.

Key Influences on Hitler’s Hatred

• Hitler absorbed antisemitic ideas during his formative years in Vienna, blaming Jews for personal and societal problems.
• Conspiracy theories like the "stab-in-the-back" myth falsely accused Jews of betraying Germany in World War I.
• Nazi propaganda depicted Jews as threats to Aryan racial purity and German national strength.

Nazi Ideology and Policies

• The Nazis implemented laws such as the Nuremberg Laws to strip Jews of citizenship and rights.
• Economic scapegoating targeted Jewish bankers and businesses.
• The Holocaust, including systematic mass murder decided at the Wannsee Conference, was driven by these antisemitic beliefs.

Thus, Hitler's hatred was a toxic mixture of racist pseudoscience, political extremism, and exploitation of widespread societal prejudices about Jews. This ideology had devastating consequences for millions of people.