Americans and the Holocaust Press Kit

“Jewish refugee children wait to board SS Mouzinho in Lisbon.” August 20, 1941. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, gift of Milton Koch. Download

As applicants sought U.S. immigration visas, private American relief agencies formed networks of rescue to aid as many refugees as possible. They helped refugees navigate the U.S. immigration system, explained the required paperwork, located potential financial sponsors, purchased ship tickets, and, for those fortunate enough to enter the United States, assisted with Americanization, employment, and housing.

“Children looking at Statue of Liberty.” June 4, 1939. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, gift of Julius Wald. Download

As applicants sought U.S. immigration visas, private American relief agencies formed networks of rescue to aid as many refugees as possible. They helped refugees navigate the U.S. immigration system, explained the required paperwork, located potential financial sponsors, purchased ship tickets, and, for those fortunate enough to enter the United States, assisted with Americanization, employment, and housing.

Entrance of "Americans and the Holocaust" special exhibition (2018-2021). U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Download

This exhibition is a portrait of American society that shows how the Depression, isolationism, xenophobia, racism, and antisemitism shaped responses to Nazism and the Holocaust. It reveals how much information was available to Americans at the time and asks why rescuing Jews did not become a priority, except for a few individuals who took the risk to help.

Entrance of "Americans and the Holocaust" special exhibition (2018-2021). U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Download

This exhibition is a portrait of American society that shows how the Depression, isolationism, xenophobia, racism, and antisemitism shaped responses to Nazism and the Holocaust. It reveals how much information was available to Americans at the time and asks why rescuing Jews did not become a priority, except for a few individuals who took the risk to help.

“Third meetings of the Board of Directors of the War Refugee Board in the office of Secretary of State Cordell Hull. Pictured from left to right are: Cordell Hull, Henry Morgenthau, Henry L. Stimson, and John Pehle, Executive Director,” March 21, 1944. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Franklin D. Roosevelt Library. Download

On January 22, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9417, establishing the War Refugee Board, and tasking it with the “immediate rescue and relief of the Jews of Europe and other victims of enemy persecution.” The Board, which operated between January 1944 and September 1945, was staffed mainly by Treasury Department employees and headed by the secretaries of State, War, and Treasury. It streamlined the work of private relief agencies, helping them send money and resources into neutral and enemy territory. They also placed American representatives in neutral nations to supervise projects and pressure these countries to welcome refugees. The War Refugee Board was the first and only official American response to the crimes we now call the Holocaust.

“Breckinridge Long” 1942 Box 222, Breckinridge Long Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Download

During the 1930s and 1940s, the U.S. State Department tolerated nativist, xenophobic, and often antisemitic attitudes and actions. Although some State Department diplomats and officials aided Jewish refugees, Assistant Secretary of State Breckinridge Long was often accused of being personally antisemitic and unsympathetic to European refugees, especially Jews. Under his supervision, the Visa Division cited national security concerns when placing new restrictions on immigration, even though it was clear that Jewish refugees in Europe were in serious danger.

“US officials Process Alien Registration documents.” June-November, 1940 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services History Office & Library. Download

After Germany invaded and annexed Austria and Czechoslovakia in 1938 and 1939, hundreds of thousands of people, mostly Jews, applied to immigrate to the United States. U.S. immigration visas were difficult to obtain due to America’s national security concerns, the difficulty refugees had in securing American financial sponsors, and the finite number of visas and travel options.

“Unemployed men queued outside a depression soup kitchen opened in Chicago by mobster Al Capone.” February 1931 National Archives at College Park - Still Pictures. Download

As Americans read press reports about the Nazi persecution of Jews in Germany, the United States had been suffering the effects of the Great Depression for nearly four years. Some 25 percent of workers were unemployed in 1933. To stimulate recovery, the new U.S. President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, promised the country a “New Deal,” immediately embarking upon an ambitious agenda to repair the U.S. economy. Although there were public anti-Nazi protests and rallies in spring 1933, most Americans focused on serious domestic problems in the United States rather than on the persecution of a minority group thousands of miles away.

“Passengers aboard the MS St. Louis.” May 13, 1939 - June 17, 1939 United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Dr. Liane Reif-Lehrer. Download

On May 13, 1939, the German transatlantic liner St. Louis sailed from Hamburg, Germany, for Havana, Cuba, carrying 937 passengers, the majority of whom were Jewish. When the St. Louis arrived in Havana, the passengers learned that the landing certificates they had purchased were invalid. After Cuba refused to allow the passengers to land and the United States (and other Western Hemisphere nations) did not offer to take the passengers, the ship returned to Europe. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee worked with the State Department, ultimately persuading four countries—Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium—to admit the passengers.

“Advertising poster designed by Ottomar Anton for the Hamburg-Amerika shipping line, featuring its flagship, the MS St. Louis” 1935 United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Galerie Prospect. Download

On May 13, 1939, the German transatlantic liner St. Louis sailed from Hamburg, Germany, for Havana, Cuba, carrying 937 passengers, the majority of whom were Jewish. When the St. Louis arrived in Havana, the passengers learned that the landing certificates they had purchased were invalid. After Cuba refused to allow the passengers to land and the United States (and other Western Hemisphere nations) did not offer to take the passengers, the ship returned to Europe. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee worked with the State Department, ultimately persuading four countries—Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium—to admit the passengers.

“Refugees outside of US consulate in Marseilles.” September-November, 1941 Courtesy of Eric Saul. Download

After Germany invaded and annexed Austria and Czechoslovakia in 1938 and 1939, hundreds of thousands of people, mostly Jews, applied to immigrate to the United States. U.S. immigration visas were difficult to obtain due to America’s national security concerns, the difficulty refugees had in securing American financial sponsors, and the finite number of visas and travel options.

“John Pehle, executive director of the War Refugee Board” March 21, 1944 Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, Hyde Park, NY. Download

On January 22, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9417, establishing the War Refugee Board, and tasking it with the “immediate rescue and relief of the Jews of Europe and other victims of enemy persecution.” The Board, which operated between January 1944 and September 1945, was staffed mainly by Treasury Department employees and headed by the secretaries of State, War, and Treasury. It streamlined the work of private relief agencies, helping them send money and resources into neutral and enemy territory. They also placed American representatives in neutral nations to supervise projects and pressure these countries to welcome refugees. The War Refugee Board was the first and only official American response to the crimes we now call the Holocaust.

“FDR broadcasts his first fireside chat.” March 12, 1933 Courtesy of Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum. Download

President Franklin D. Roosevelt took significant yet limited action in response to the persecution of German Jews, the refugee crisis in the 1930s, and the “Final Solution,” the Nazi campaign of mass murder. Roosevelt prioritized economic recovery from the Great Depression and victory in World War II above humanitarian crises overseas.

“Unemployed man with sign asking for work in Detroit, Michigan.” 1932 Deliverable: Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum; Copyright: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University. Download

As Americans read press reports about the Nazi persecution of Jews in Germany, the United States had been suffering the effects of the Great Depression for nearly four years. Some 25 percent of workers were unemployed in 1933. To stimulate recovery, the new U.S. President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, promised the country a “New Deal,” immediately embarking upon an ambitious agenda to repair the U.S. economy. Although there were public anti-Nazi protests and rallies in spring 1933, most Americans focused on serious domestic problems in the United States rather than on the persecution of a minority group thousands of miles away.

“Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus (center) pose with the fifty Austrian children they are bringing to the United States.” June 1939 United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, gift of Steven Pressman. Download

As applicants sought U.S. immigration visas, private American relief agencies formed networks of rescue to aid as many refugees as possible. They helped refugees navigate the U.S. immigration system, explained the required paperwork, located potential financial sponsors, purchased ship tickets, and, for those fortunate enough to enter the United States, assisted with Americanization, employment, and housing.

"Americans and the Holocaust" special exhibition (2018-2021), U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Download

This exhibition is a portrait of American society that shows how the Depression, isolationism, xenophobia, racism, and antisemitism shaped responses to Nazism and the Holocaust. It reveals how much information was available to Americans at the time and asks why rescuing Jews did not become a priority, except for a few individuals who took the risk to help.

"Americans and the Holocaust" special exhibition (2018-2021), U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Download

This exhibition is a portrait of American society that shows how the Depression, isolationism, xenophobia, racism, and antisemitism shaped responses to Nazism and the Holocaust. It reveals how much information was available to Americans at the time and asks why rescuing Jews did not become a priority, except for a few individuals who took the risk to help.

"Americans and the Holocaust" special exhibition (2018-2021), U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Download

This exhibition is a portrait of American society that shows how the Depression, isolationism, xenophobia, racism, and antisemitism shaped responses to Nazism and the Holocaust. It reveals how much information was available to Americans at the time and asks why rescuing Jews did not become a priority, except for a few individuals who took the risk to help.

“Portrait of Jan Karski during his mission to the United States to inform government leaders about Nazi policy in Poland.” July 1943 United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Jan Karski. Download

Jan Karski, a lieutenant in the Polish underground fighting the German occupation, was smuggled into both the Warsaw ghetto and prisoner transit camp to witness the horrors suffered by Jews. Nine months later, Karski arrived in Washington, D.C., to tell American government officials what he had seen. Karski met President Roosevelt at the White House on July 28, 1943.

“Passport for Freya Frieda Maier.” March 17, 1939 United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, gift of sonja Geismar and Lynn J. Maier. Download

The paperwork required both to leave Nazi-controlled areas and to enter the United States was difficult to acquire and expensive. Potential immigrants needed passports, transit visas, affidavits of moral or financial support, birth certificates, certificates of good conduct, medical clearances, tax clearances, and proof of military discharge if they had served. Even those who met these requirements often found themselves on years-long waiting lists for visas.

“Payment for ship passage for the Winters.” January 26, 1939 United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, gift of Stephen Winter. Download

The paperwork required both to leave Nazi-controlled areas and to enter the United States was difficult to acquire and expensive. Potential immigrants needed passports, transit visas, affidavits of moral or financial support, birth certificates, certificates of good conduct, medical clearances, tax clearances, and proof of military discharge if they had served. Even those who met these requirements often found themselves on years-long waiting lists for visas.

“Visa application from Alice Stern.” February 1940 United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, gift of Harold H. Stern. Download

The paperwork required both to leave Nazi-controlled areas and to enter the United States was difficult to acquire and expensive. Potential immigrants needed passports, transit visas, affidavits of moral or financial support, birth certificates, certificates of good conduct, medical clearances, tax clearances, and proof of military discharge if they had served. Even those who met these requirements often found themselves on years-long waiting lists for visas.

“Sponsorship affidavit of Louis Lyons” Notarized June 22, 1939 United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, gift of Hans Weinmann. Download

The paperwork required both to leave Nazi-controlled areas and to enter the United States was difficult to acquire and expensive. Potential immigrants needed passports, transit visas, affidavits of moral or financial support, birth certificates, certificates of good conduct, medical clearances, tax clearances, and proof of military discharge if they had served. Even those who met these requirements often found themselves on years-long waiting lists for visas.

“Quota visa number for Elsa.” January 27, 1939 United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, gift of Ruth D. Barzilay and Evelyn Hill. Download

The paperwork required both to leave Nazi-controlled areas and to enter the United States was difficult to acquire and expensive. Potential immigrants needed passports, transit visas, affidavits of moral or financial support, birth certificates, certificates of good conduct, medical clearances, tax clearances, and proof of military discharge if they had served. Even those who met these requirements often found themselves on years-long waiting lists for visas.

“Birth certificate for Max Winter.” February 21, 1904 United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, gift of Stephen Winter. Download

The paperwork required both to leave Nazi-controlled areas and to enter the United States was difficult to acquire and expensive. Potential immigrants needed passports, transit visas, affidavits of moral or financial support, birth certificates, certificates of good conduct, medical clearances, tax clearances, and proof of military discharge if they had served. Even those who met these requirements often found themselves on years-long waiting lists for visas.

"Americans and the Holocaust" special exhibition (2018-2021), U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Download

This exhibition is a portrait of American society that shows how the Depression, isolationism, xenophobia, racism, and antisemitism shaped responses to Nazism and the Holocaust. It reveals how much information was available to Americans at the time and asks why rescuing Jews did not become a priority, except for a few individuals who took the risk to help.