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Chronological Reasoning and Causation

Antisemitism in U.S. Legislation and Immigration Policy During the 1930s

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  1. Load President Roosevelt's Draft Statement on Kristallnacht in Main Document Viewer
  2. Load Memorandum for the President Concerning the Wagner-Rogers Bill in Main Document Viewer
  3. Load "Believe it or Not!" in Main Document Viewer
  4. Load Headline, "Nazis Smash, Loot and Burn Jewish Shops and Temples Until Goebbels Calls Halt" in Main Document Viewer
  5. Load Response to the Wagner-Rogers Bill from "The St. Petersburg Evening Independent" in Main Document Viewer
  6. Load "Please, Ring the Bell for Us" in Main Document Viewer
  7. Load My File Upload - March 16, 2025 in Main Document Viewer

Suggested Teaching Instructions

Introduction 

Jewish life in America from 1933 to 1945 was shaped by the challenges and opportunities of the period, including the rise of Nazi power in Europe, the Great Depression, and the outbreak and course of World War II.  The rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany and the oppression of Jews under the Nazi regime profoundly impacted Jewish life in America. As the persecution of Jews in Germany and later in Nazi-occupied territories escalated, American Jews became increasingly vocal in their opposition to Nazism. While the vast majority of Americans opposed Nazism, some held negative stereotypes about Jews. Polls during this period show that many Americans held unfavorable views of Jews, often linking them with communism or perceiving them as "un-American.” Jews in the U.S. faced the moral dilemma of how to respond to the growing refugee crisis as European Jews sought escape from Nazi persecution. While many American Jews were sympathetic to the plight of European Jews, U.S. immigration quotas limited the number of refugees who could enter the country.  As the war unfolded and the full scale of Nazi atrocities became known, American Jews were deeply affected by the reports of the mass murder of Jews in Europe. The news of the Holocaust sparked widespread outrage, and Jewish organizations increased efforts to pressure the U.S. government to take action, including bombing railways leading to concentration camps or allowing more refugees to enter the country.  These actions would shape the American Jewish community’s political, social, and cultural engagement in the years to come. 

The following documents (with scaffold questions) can be incorporated to create a variety of Document Based Questions (DBQ) writing exercises.  There are a number of topics (with suggested documents) and prompts provided, enabling teachers greater flexibility to effectively deal with the various student levels in their classroom, such as differentiated instruction, small group work, etc. to cater to different learning styles and ensure all students feel supported and challenged at their own level. 

Historical Background: 
During the Holocaust (1933-1945), Nazi Germany systematically persecuted and murdered approximately six million Jews, along with millions of others. Despite widespread knowledge of the atrocities, the United States government, under the leadership of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, struggled with its response to the growing refugee crisis and the genocide unfolding in Europe. Factors such as domestic antisemitism, isolationism, and deliberate bureaucratic inactivity played roles in shaping U.S. policies during this period.  Antisemitism in the United States during the late 1930s and into World War II had a significant influence on both U.S. foreign and domestic policy. It shaped the American response to Nazi Germany's rise, the Holocaust, and America's role in global affairs during the war. 

Guiding Questions: 

  • What social, political, and economic factors contributed to the rise of antisemitism in the U.S. during the 1930s? 

  • To what extent was antisemitism present in U.S. political debate in the 1930s, and who were the key figures promoting such views? 

  • What role did the U.S. government play in restricting Jewish immigration to the U.S. in the 1930s?  

  • Were there any significant policies or decisions made by President Franklin D. Roosevelt or his administration regarding Jewish immigration? 

  • How did media outlets portray Jewish refugees in the 1930s, and what effect did this have on public opinion regarding immigration policy? 

Your Task: 

In your essay, use the documents provided to support your argument and analysis. Be sure to evaluate the significance of U.S. policy during the Holocaust and assess whether U.S. actions were sufficient or whether they contributed to the tragedy of the Holocaust 

Prompt: How did antisemitism shape U.S. immigration policies in the 1930s, particularly in regard to Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution? 

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