FDR's reactions to Holocaust

In simple words, Holocaust is when Hitler used racial cleansing as excuse to bring mass extermination upon certain ethnic groups. 11 million people were killed during the genocide in Germany, more than half were Jews. They were gathered into concentration camps, then to death camps, where they were gassed in masses. Auschwitz was the largest death camp of all. (More information on Holocaust can be found in http://history1900s.about.com/od/holocaust/a/holocaustfacts.htm)

Now days looking back, we know that what Hitler did was unacceptable and cruel. However, Roosevelt was reluctant to do anything to stop the genocide at the time. Many believes that the reason lies in the anti-Semitism in the white house. Not only FDR, but many politicians at the time did not care so much for the death of Jews. It was Henry Morgenthau, Treasury secretary, who brought the discussion openly to FDR in 1944. In response, FDR declared “Citizens, regardless of religious allegiance, will share in the sorrow of our Jewish fellow-citizens over the savagery of the Nazis against their helpless victims, The Nazis will not succeed in exterminating their victims any more than they will succeed in enslaving mankind. The American people not only sympathize with all victims of Nazi crimes but will hold the perpetrators of these crimes to strict accountability in a day of reckoning which will surely come.” While he showed his support for the Jews, he didn’t promise any actions.

As the Genocide in Germany continued without any interference, more people from the Jewish community reported to FDR the urgency of the situation. However, FDR’s reply was simple “we shall win the war”. Henry Morgenthau was dissatisfied with FDR’s lack of actions. He reported to him the details of the genocide, anti-semitism in the U.S. government, and the need for direct help. FDR waved aside the anti-semitism part, but did agree to send aid to victims of Holocaust while maitaining the forces put into war.

There are also people who supported FDR’s actions. Many agree with FDR that wining the war would be cutting the source behind the Holocaust. Even if the death camps were bombed, Germany can easily set up another in other places. Railroads that were bombed sould be easily fix, or genocide could be carried on in other ways. FDR was also determined about keeping evidents to convict Hitler of the crime. With all the heavy propaganda going around during war time, Allies bombing death camp would make things complicated. The Nazis could use the bombings to blame the earlier death of Jews on the Allies.

Katherine Jia