The Role of American Isolationism and Antisemitism in Shaping U.S. Foreign Policy in the 1930s

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 were the key principles of American isolationism in the 1930s, and how did they influence the U.S. response to growing international conflicts?  

• Discuss the extent to which the U.S. government actively restricted Jewish immigration during the 1930s and the motivations behind such policies. 

• How did antisemitic attitudes within the American public impact U.S. foreign policy towards Nazi Germany in the 1930s? 

• How did the Great Depression contribute to the rise of isolationist sentiment in the United States?  

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: To what extent did widespread antisemitism in the United States influence the country’s foreign policy in the 1930s, particularly in relation to the refugee crisis and the rise of Nazi Germany?