How U.S. Antisemitism Shut the Door on Countless Refugee Children | The U.S. and the Holocaust | PBS

Summary

The transcript examines the complex response of the U.S. to Jewish refugees during the rise of Nazism, focusing on the Kindertransport initiative, which allowed 10,000 children to escape Germany. Legislative efforts to admit more refugee children faced strong opposition rooted in xenophobia and anti-Semitism, exemplified by influential figures and organizations. Polls indicated widespread resistance to increased immigration, reflecting societal prejudices. Eleanor Roosevelt's advocacy highlights the missed opportunities for humanitarian action. Ultimately, political priorities overshadowed humanitarian concerns, illustrating the challenging dynamics between public sentiment and policy during a critical historical moment.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Kinder Transport allowed 10,000 children to escape Nazism without their parents, highlighting a desperate attempt to save young lives.
• 📜 In February 1939, a bill was proposed to admit 10,000 children per year from 1939 to 1940, exempting them from immigration quotas.
• 🤝 First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt supported the bill, while President Franklin D. Roosevelt provided private advice but remained publicly neutral.
• 🚫 Opposition came from organizations like the American Legion and the German American Bund, reflecting deep-rooted xenophobia and anti-Semitism.
• 📊 A poll indicated that a significant majority of Americans opposed increasing refugee quotas, with many believing Jews held too much power.
• 😢 The German American Bund, led by Fritz Kuhn, openly advocated for a white Gentile-ruled America, expressing extreme anti-Jewish sentiments.
• 🗣️ Public speakers at Bund rallies claimed Jewish refugees posed a threat to American jobs and culture.
• 📉 Only a fraction of respondents favored making exemptions for Jewish refugees, indicating widespread resistance to immigration.
• ⚖️ Congressman Samuel Dickstein noted the U.S. had historically failed to live up to its principles of providing sanctuary for refugees.
• 🗓️ Ultimately, the bill was withdrawn due to fears it could lead to more restrictive immigration policies, reflecting the political priorities of the time.

Q & A

What was the Kinder Transport?

The Kinder Transport was a program that allowed 10,000 Jewish children to escape Nazism in Germany, enabling them to reach safety in Britain without their parents.

Who introduced the bill to allow Jewish refugee children into the United States?

The bill was introduced by Democratic Senator Robert Wagner of New York and Republican Congresswoman Edith Norris Rogers of Massachusetts.

What was the proposed age range for the children allowed under the bill introduced in 1939?

The proposed age range for the children was between five and fourteen years old.

What was the reaction of major American organizations to the bill?

Organizations such as the American Legion, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the American Coalition of Patriotic Societies opposed the bill, preferring to reduce immigration quotas instead.

How did Father Coughlin influence public opinion regarding Jewish refugees?

Father Coughlin used his radio audience to promote anti-Semitic views, claiming that Jewish businessmen were taking jobs from Christian employees and advocating for the creation of a National Christian Front.

What were the sentiments expressed by the German American Bund regarding Jewish refugees?

The German American Bund opposed admitting Jewish refugees, promoting a white Gentile-ruled United States and describing Jews as dangerous and alien.

What did a poll by Fortune magazine reveal about American attitudes toward Jewish refugees?

The poll found that only 10% of respondents favored increasing quotas or making exemptions for refugees, and a significant number believed that Jews had too much power in the U.S.

What was Congressman Samuel Dickstein's perspective on the U.S. tradition of providing refuge?

Congressman Samuel Dickstein acknowledged that while the U.S. professed to offer sanctuary for religious and political refugees, historically it had failed to live up to this ideal.

Why did advocates for the bill withdraw it during Congress discussions?

The advocates withdrew the bill because they feared that if it went to the floor, it could lead to other proposals aimed at completely stopping all immigration into the United States.

What was President Franklin D. Roosevelt's priority in 1939 regarding legislation?

FDR's primary political challenge was getting Congress to revoke the Neutrality Acts, which restricted U.S. support for countries at war with Nazi Germany, making immigration issues less important to him at the time.