1. FDR’s Response to The Holocaust

2. FDR 1943

3. Man of the year
1932
1934
1941

4. United States Pre-World War II
FDR – Different phases and changing policies
– Jews could still get out of Europe but, they needed someone to let them in.
1933 – US had 25% unemployment on paper but it was actually about 33%
Anti-Semitism was rampant - even on the floor of congress

5. Congressional Policies Pre-World War II
Both democrats and republicans had isolationist policies - after WWI nobody wanted to “deal” with Europe
Many Mexican-Americans that were unemployed were sent back to Mexico
– the peak of anti-Semitism in the US

6. Father Coughlin
He was a Catholic radio priest in the 1930’s and 1940’s - 30 million weekly listeners
His sermons were extremely anti-Semitic - published “The Elders of Zion” - defended Krystalnacht
In the 1930’s there were 120 organizations in the US that their sole purpose was to expand anti-Semitism

7. Father Coughlin “Father of Hate Radio”
(the worst thing for the Catholic church since the inquisition… in Amendola’s opinion)

8. Anti-Semitism in the US
In the 1930’s there were similar segregation laws for African Americans and Jews - In the South, Jews were at the back of the bus and drinking from the “colored” water fountain. Etc.
Law passed in congress not allowing more than 1% of students in universities to be Jewish.
A poll taken in Georgia in the 1950’s stated that the majority of the population did not know that there was a difference between a Jew and an African American

9. Father Coughlin on the right.
To illustrate how rampant anti-Semitism was in the United States in 1934

10. American Attitudes - Polls
1938 – What people do you object to? - 35% said Jews (highest category)
1939 – 77% of Americans opposed a large number of Jews to come from Germany to the US
1940 – 53% of Americans believed that Jews should be restricted in business and social interactions with non-Jews
During these years there was: “restrictive” housing, employment, education and recreation

12. FDR
1930’s – Roosevelt is attacked for including too many Jews in “The New Deal” - Politicians revered to it as “The Jew Deal”
1935 – Roosevelt supported immigration of European Jews
Southern Democrats would not support military spending bill if Roosevelt helped the Jews in any way.
American companies kept up with airplane research since WWI but… our military was a complete disaster in the 1930’s.

15. FDR’s New Deal Poster

16. FDR
Although FDR remained quiet about Jewish immigration, Eleanor campaigned for the cause. -she traveled all over the country giving speeches about why we have to allow Jewish immigration.
FDR – “nobody including me can keep Eleanor quiet when she is passionate about something”
– Roosevelt’s policy of rebuilding the military.
The US joining the war was inevitable.
Hitler had plans to invade the US

17. A BOLD Eleanor Roosevelt

18. FDR’s Priorities
Prior to US Declaration of War - Rebuild the military - Help Britain from being defeated
After the Declaration of War - Win the war as quickly as possible with as few American casualties as possible - Unconditional surrender of enemies
In 1942 FDR Sent Jan Karski to Europe to see if there were really camps in Poland.
December 1942 – FDR condemns policy of Nazi genocide

19. Resource Allocation
85% of the war effort was against Germany and only 15% against Japan. - (Amendola’s grandfather fought in the Pacific)
Roosevelt went against public opinion by doing this. - why do you suppose the public wanted our resources in the Pacific?
This surprised Hitler and helped win the war in Europe.

20. United States in WWII Harry Truman wins the election
Harry is told that we will lose at least 300,000 more US soldiers to win the war in the Pacific or… they could use the atomic bombs.
He gave the order to drop them on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Jewish scientists are credited for creating the atomic bomb which brought the war in the Pacific to an end.

22. Henry Morganthau Secretary of the Treasury (1933-1945)
He was the leading person supporting Jewish immigration the US. Also, a good friend of FDR’s.
You can judge someone by the people they surround themselves with.

23. Another Picture of Henry

24. FDR never fired anyone. Why do you suppose that he didn’t?