1. Racist Ideology: The Nazis propagated a belief in Aryan racial supremacy and saw Jews as inferior and a threat to the German "race." Antisemitism was central to Nazi ideology, blaming Jews for Germany's defeat in World War I, economic problems, and social unrest.
2. Scapegoating: The Nazi government and propaganda machine used Jews as a convenient scapegoat for various societal issues, blaming them for economic hardships or political failures. This strategy diverted attention from the regime's own shortcomings and fostered hatred towards Jewish people.
3. Conspiracy Theories: The Nazis promoted various antisemitic conspiracy theories, such as the "Jewish Bolshevism" myth, which portrayed Jews as controlling the Soviet Union and aiming to spread communism. Another conspiracy theory was the "International Jewish Conspiracy," which alleged Jews sought world domination.
4. Longstanding Antisemitism: Anti-Jewish sentiments had existed in Europe for centuries, manifesting in discrimination, persecution, and violence against Jews. The Holocaust was a culmination of centuries of antisemitism, institutionalized and weaponized by the Nazi regime to exterminate the Jewish population.
5. Dehumanization: The Nazis conducted systematic dehumanization of Jewish people, stripping them of their rights and dignity. They used dehumanizing language and portrayed Jews as vermin or pests, making it easier for their followers to commit acts of violence and discrimination against them.