Anne Barnard summarizes the Syrian war for you

"The war in Syria began with political protests against Mr. Assad’s rule but transformed into a civil war after government crackdowns on demonstrators, as Mr. Assad’s opponents took up arms and the army responded with heavy weapons. Jihadist groups arose, eventually paving the way for the foreign-led Islamic State, which has seized large portions of Iraq and Syria." I just wish that she can take us from point A to B using some logic. How did the government crackdown on demonstrators contribute to the rise of Jihadi groups if they did not exist before.  So ISIS terrorists were mere peaceful activists prior and government crackdown made them Jihadi terrorists?  Please please explain that one to me.