Antisemitism: History, Meaning, and Facts
Antisemitism refers to hostility or discrimination against Jews as a religious or racial group. The term was introduced in 1879 by the German agitator Wilhelm Marr to describe the anti-Jewish campaigns taking place in central Europe at that time.
19th-Century Origins and Nazi Antisemitism
Nazi antisemitism, which led to the Holocaust, was rooted in 19th-century "scientific racism." It had a racial dimension, targeting Jews based on supposed biological traits, including those who had converted to other religions or whose parents were converts. This form of racism is distinct from earlier anti-Jewish prejudices and emerged alongside the rise of so-called scientific racism in the 19th century.
Terminology and Modern Usage
In early 2025, Encyclopædia Britannica adopted the spelling antisemitism without a hyphen and with a lowercase "s." This style is also supported by many organizations focused on increasing awareness about antisemitism. Historically, the term was spelled with a hyphen as anti-Semitism, but the hyphen led some to mistakenly believe in the existence of a "Semitic race," which caused confusion.
"The hyphen’s separation of Semitism confusingly suggested to some people the existence of a Semitic race."
Antisemitism has evolved over time, shifting from religious and cultural prejudice to racial ideologies in the modern era.
Author’s summary: Antisemitism, a term coined in 1879, evolved from religious prejudice to a racial ideology culminating in the Holocaust, with modern usage favoring the spelling without a hyphen.