Why did the Nazi's hate the Jews?

Question

I understand that anti-semitism is still a serious issue. But I've never understood it and no one has ever been able to explain it to me.

The only thing I've ever heard is, "Because the Jews killed Jesus." But if Jesus hadn't been killed wouldn't we all be going to Hell? His primary purpose on Earth was to be sacrificed on the cross. Does it really matter who actually held the hammer 2000 years ago? And if that's the reason, why didn't they try to wipe out the Itallians (Romans)?

Rascism doesn't make any sense to me but I at least understand the reasonings behind most of the other racial tensions but that one completely eludes me.

Anyone have sources to support their answers so I can research further?

Answer 1

Good complex question, there is no easy or all encompassing answer to that..

Root of Hitler's/Nazi Hatred for Jews

There are many contributing factors and possible theories. Here are some points to consider:

* The only reason the jews were killed by the nazis were that the nazis were jealous that the jews had the riches and the main businesses, and a great life thats it 11 million people died of jealousy

* Jealousy. Some Jews were successful and held powerful positions in Austria and Germany in the 1920s and 1930s. At the same time, the world was suffering in the Great Depression. For various reasons, including war reparations for World War I, Germany was being hit the hardest by the worldwide economic depression. Successful Jews were envied and blamed for "taking German jobs."

* During World War I, communism was on the rise. Lenin's Revolution had forced Russia out of the war. The German Army at times faced near rebellion among their own troops. This contributed to Germany being forced to sue for peace. Since some socialist/communist leaders were Jewish this was exploited as another reason for Germans to hate Jews. Hitler often spoke of Bolshevik (communist) Jewry. There is still a strong association in some people's minds between Jews and leftism of various kinds.

* Hitler and other Germans absorbed some of their parents' racism. Anti-Semitism has a long history.

* Some Germans held to the belief that "Jewish bankers" were responsible for the Treaty of Versailles because they stopped funding WWI.

* The Balfour Declaration of 1917 supposedly proves that Jews betrayed Germany in World War I. According to one who holds this theory, "During the Great War (World War I), members of the Zionist Jewish elite bartered with England and promised to bring the United States into the war in exchange for Palestine. This is the root cause of the belief that the Jews contributed to the defeat and subsequent economic rape of Germany in the post-war years." However, this wasn't something mentioned much in Germany and seems to be a post-1945 (!) preoccupation of a few anti-Zionists.

Check the link for more

Have a pleasant day.

Answer 2

I've read some of the answers and whilst most of them have good points the real reason that Hitler hated the Jews was because the German people needed to hate somebody. After WW1 Germany was in ruins and it wasn't changing fast. People were starving and dying due to the harsh reparations payments and the huge inflation that resulted in astronomical prices that nobody could afford.

Hitler came to power and told the German people that it wasn't their fault that Germany was in the position it was in - it was the fault of the Jews and the black people and the homosexuals. Anybody who was different was targeted as being the reason for Germany's ruin. The Jew had it worst of all because Germany, esp. in the South is a Catholic country and it is a long tradition of anti-semitism.

It has been suggested that Hitler's hatred of them may have come from him being partly Jewish whether or not that is true is debatable as are all historical facts but it is possible.

I agree whole heartedly with you about not understanding it. Jews are hated for their riches and their involvement in banking and other 'rich' trades but no-one asks why these are the trades they are involved in - the reason being that if you are persecuted against it is far easier to carry money or gold/jewels than it is to run with carpentry tools or a kiln.

Answer 3

The nazi's simply industrialized the "pogrom". Pogroms had been going on for centuries, since the end of the roman era in the west. Jews were not the only group targeted,but the group most often targeted.
Jews have always been despised primarily because of the "chosen people" label, their insularity,their militant behavior, the difficulty in governing them and with their cutural emphasis on success measured by movable wealth.

They were often viewed as acquiring and controlling the wealth of nations.
From much of the propiganda floating around the western and eastern worlds today that perception apparently hasn't changed very much.

Incidentally, the more pragmatic reason for the nazi's persecution of the jews was that they typically represented the intelligensia and the prosperious middle class. These two classes represented a threat to the Nazis because they were not easily swayed and controlled by the Nazis message, It also meant that the Nazis could confiscate all their wealth, including their gold teeth, which were melted down and sold to the swiss.

Answer 4

I suppose its the primary reason of anti-semitic sentiments: their impalement of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago.The Romans (citizens of the Roman Empire) were already long gone during this period.Also,the Nazis need some scapegoats because of the consequence of the Versailles Treaty after World War I.They also just ride with the current prejudice of the time to be the most popular party in Germany.

Answer 5

"Because the Jews killed Jesus" is something I've heard a lot too, and I think it's the stupidest theory I've ever heard. I think It's just racism, and what causes racism I believe is fear. They were probably secretly afraid the Jews were more intelligent as a race, and couldn't stand the competition. I got your message in my question about Bush, and this country's schools are still falling way behind the rest of the world in math and science.

Answer 6

"To answer this, you have to understand the history of the Jewish people + their strong family ties & tenacity. For a thousand years, the Jewish people were alternately expelled from many different countries of the world for, what very well seems like, "jealously" by non Jews- jealously & fear of the Jew's success and wealth- while gentiles(non Jews) suffered around them. Jews understood & knew how to be prosperous(strong family + community ties are said to be part of this success), while gentiles generally believed that if they were to save themselves, the Jews had to go. Hitler simply took this to the next level in 1930's Germany.

Answer 7

Reasons:
1.Jews KilledJesus. ( dont realize they were told by god, judas was told by jesus, jesus died for your sins)
2. Hitler hated them because he didnt get along with his father who hit him a lot.
---->Hitler's father was the illegitimate child of a cook named (Maria Anna) Schickelgruber. This cook, the grandmother of Adolf Hitler, was working for a Jewish family named Frankenburger, when she became pregnant. Frankenburger paid Schickelbruber, a paternity allowance from the time of the child's birth up to his fourteenth year.
From a secret report by the Nazi Hans Frank. Written in 1930
3. Jews were doing well in society economy. they were helping the country just as much as the so called "aryans" were. they wanted peace. they loved GermanY!!!!!!!!!
4. people didnt realize jews were the ones that allowed christianity. if it wasnt for them there wouldnt be no jesus. there would be no you ( to anyone thats racist or if you are chritian.)

to any neo-nazi- Darn you son of a Nazi

Answer 8

hitler didnt hate the jews because they killed jesus. he hated jews because they were wealthy and acted better than him.

at the time the jewish community was in the upper class and hitler hated anyone who was better than him so he attacked all jews.

hitlers reasons had nothing to do with the death of christ.

Answer 9

They hated the Jews because their leaders told them to.

Answer 10

Looks like answer number 11, KiK, nailed the answer.

I will just have to agree with her.