What is the MS St. Louis?

Summary

The video recounts the tragic voyage of the SS St. Louis, which sailed from Germany to Cuba in 1939 with 937 Jewish refugees fleeing persecution. Upon arrival, only 22 passengers were allowed to disembark, and both the United States and Canada refused the ship entry. After weeks of uncertainty, European countries eventually accepted the remaining passengers. Of the 907 refugees returned to Europe, 254 were later killed in the Holocaust. The video highlights the limited assistance given to Jewish refugees, noting Canada accepted fewer than 5,000 between 1933 and 1945.

Takeaways

• ⛴️ The SS St. Louis set sail on May 13, 1939, from Hamburg, Germany, carrying 937 passengers, most of whom were Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution.
• 🌴 The ship's intended destination was Cuba, where the passengers hoped to find refuge, but upon arrival, only 22 Jews were permitted to disembark.
• 🚫 The United States and Canada refused to allow the ship to dock, leaving the passengers in a state of limbo.
• 🤝 After negotiations, England, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands agreed to accept the remaining passengers.
• 🔄 Of the 907 Jews who returned to Europe, 254 were tragically murdered during the Holocaust.
• 🇨🇦 During the period between 1933 and 1945, Canada accepted less than 5,000 Jewish refugees, reflecting a restrictive immigration policy.
• 🕊️ The story of the St. Louis highlights the desperation of Jewish refugees seeking safety and the international community's response during a critical time in history.
• 🌍 The ship's journey underscores the global impact of the Holocaust and the need for countries to provide sanctuary to those fleeing persecution.
• 🗝️ The refusal to allow the St. Louis to dock in the United States and Canada is a poignant example of the barriers faced by refugees seeking asylum.
• 📚 The script serves as a historical account, reminding us of the importance of studying and remembering the past to prevent such tragedies from recurring.

Q & A

When did the SS St. Louis set sail from Hamburg, Germany?

The SS St. Louis set sail on May 13, 1939.

What was the primary reason for the Jewish refugees aboard the SS St. Louis to leave Germany?

The Jewish refugees were trying to escape Nazi Germany.

How many passengers were on the SS St. Louis when it left for Cuba?

There were 937 passengers aboard the SS St. Louis.

How many Jewish passengers were allowed to disembark in Havana, Cuba?

Only 22 Jewish passengers were allowed to disembark in Havana.

Why were the remaining passengers not allowed to disembark in Cuba?

The United States and Canada prohibited the liner from docking, forcing the captain to seek other countries to accept the passengers.

Which European countries eventually agreed to take the refugees from the SS St. Louis?

England, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands agreed to take the refugees.

What was the fate of the 907 Jews who returned to Europe after being denied entry to Cuba?

Of the 907 Jews who went back to Europe, 254 of them were eventually murdered during the Holocaust.

How many Jewish refugees did Canada accept between 1933 and 1945?

Canada accepted less than 5,000 Jewish refugees during that period.

What was the main challenge faced by the captain of the SS St. Louis after being denied entry to Cuba?

The main challenge was negotiating with European countries to accept the passengers.

What does the script imply about the international response to the refugee crisis during the time of the SS St. Louis incident?

The script implies that the international response was limited and that many refugees faced significant barriers to finding safety.

What historical event does the script refer to when mentioning the Holocaust?

The Holocaust refers to the genocide of approximately six million European Jews during World War II, as implemented by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.