Why Attitudes Toward Jews Shifted in Medieval Europe

Four interrelated factors drove worsening attitudes:

1. Economic Competition: As Europe's economy grew, Jews became prominent in trade and finance, sparking resentment from Christian merchants.
2. Religious Intolerance: Christian dominance framed Jews as outsiders/heretics; distinct religion/culture made them easy targets.
3. Political Instability: Jews were scapegoated for crises (e.g., Black Death accused of well-poisoning), leading to massacres.
4. Expulsions: Starting with England (1290), successive expulsions devastated communities and entrenched persecution.