AboutTom Expertise While it is a huge topic, I am well-versed in World War II generally. There is a huge wealth of information available on the internet, HOWEVER, one has to know the trash from the gems. Many sites which are not obviously credible (govt, university, and museum sites, for ex.), provide erroneous information (intentionally or otherwise).
Experience BA in history, and been reading and studying WW2 as my 'hobby' for 30 years. Regular contributor to several online forums in military history, WW2, and related areas and topics.
Organizations None relevant to this topic.
Education/Credentials BA, History (Secondary Education), with minor in Geography
US Army Engineer Officer (Officer Basic and Advanced Courses)
Question Why did Hitler hate the Jews?
What are the main events or factors that occurred during Hitler's lifetime that influenced his hatred for the Jews? He obviously wasn't born hating them. Something had to happen during his life that caused him to become antisemitic.
Answer This is somewhat of a non-answer, because I don't actually know - and I don't believe anyone actually knows why. Not with any certainty.
There are several biographers who have tried to figure it out, but they have given a number of different reasons - and nuanced differences that really get into the details of their suppositions. Also, Hitler does speak about Jews in his book, Mein Kampf (My Struggle), I believe calling them parasites and worse.
I would direct you to, if really interested, read his biographers, and they will chart this area for you. But in a simple, high-level summary, I'd say that he grew up in a time of considerable anti-semitism, and his associations (not just direct but indirectly) with persons of Jewish background supported his growing view that Jews held a dangerous and unhealthy - even parasitic - hold on the German people. Coupled with his hatred of communists (Bolsheviks), he built his political career on the fear and hatred (and blame) of Jews and Communists.
Sorry I couldn't be clear and definitive, but I don't believe we really can say exactly why.
