Passive Anti-semitism in The USA

During the initial years of World War II, the United States maintained a stance of neutrality. There was significant debate about whether to assist allied nations or to remain uninvolved. The prevailing sentiment among Americans was to avoid entanglement in foreign conflicts, largely due to the lingering trauma from World War I and the economic hardships of the Great Depression. Many citizens believed that addressing domestic issues took precedence over the crises unfolding in Europe. However, the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan in 1941 marked a turning point, compelling the United States to join the war. This raises a critical question: did antisemitism and isolationist sentiments contribute to the delay in U.S. intervention prior to the Holocaust?

Understanding Passive Antisemitism

Antisemitism, defined as hostility or prejudice against Jews, has deep roots and did not originate solely with the Nazi regime. In the United States, antisemitic attitudes were often propagated through stereotypes portraying Jews as greedy, untrustworthy, and disloyal. This form of prejudice permeated various facets of American society, appearing in media, advertisements, and public discourse. One particularly insidious form of this prejudice is "passive antisemitism," where individuals harbor negative feelings towards Jews without engaging in overtly violent behavior. This passive stance often resulted in indifference to the plight of Jewish communities facing persecution.

Historical Context of Antisemitism in America

In 1939, a notable article titled "Menace of Antisemitism in the U.S.A is Abated by Intelligent Action" highlighted the prevalence of antisemitic propaganda. It indicated that Jews were scapegoated for various societal problems, including the Great Depression and political upheaval. Such accusations were often intertwined with broader xenophobic sentiments, suggesting that being "American" was synonymous with a specific racial and ethnic identity.

Antisemitic Organizations

Numerous antisemitic groups emerged in the U.S. during this period, including:

• Christian Identity Churches
• Ku Klux Klan (KKK)
• American Nazi Party
• White Aryan Resistance

Before World War II, the KKK boasted a membership of approximately five million. Post-World War I, the KKK combined religious intolerance, xenophobia, and white supremacy to incite fear among the populace. They viewed Eastern European immigrants, particularly Jews, as threats to American society, associating them with communism and political subversion.

The Impact of Public Rallies and Propaganda

One of the most notorious public displays of antisemitism occurred in 1939 at a rally held by the German American Bund, which drew around 20,000 participants to Madison Square Garden. Attendees donned uniforms, waved American and Nazi flags, and displayed swastikas. The event, sanctioned by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, was intended to discredit the Bund but instead highlighted the growing antisemitic sentiment in the country. The Bund’s propaganda sought to merge patriotic American imagery with Nazi ideals, attracting a wide array of supporters.

Influential Antisemitic Figures

Among the most prominent figures promoting antisemitism was Father Charles Coughlin, a Roman Catholic priest with a radio audience of about forty million. In the late 1930s, Coughlin used his platform to advocate for Nazi sympathies and blamed Jews for the nation’s economic struggles, including the Great Depression.

Discrimination in Education

Antisemitism also infiltrated educational institutions. By 1934, Jewish women constituted over fifty percent of the student body in New York universities. However, from 1936 to the early 1940s, many colleges significantly reduced Jewish admissions, despite an increase in applications. The admissions process often included interviews that allowed universities to discriminate against applicants based on perceived undesirable traits, often leading to the rejection of Jewish candidates.

Political and Military Antisemitism

Antisemitism was prevalent in American politics and the military as well. Congressional policies reflected a hostile attitude towards Jewish refugees, with restrictive visa policies limiting their entry into the United States. John Rankin, a congressman known for his overt antisemitism, exemplified the troubling attitudes present in government. His public statements went unpunished, indicating a broader acceptance of antisemitic rhetoric in political discourse. In the military, high-ranking officers were often allowed to make antisemitic jokes without facing repercussions.

Conclusion: The Role of Antisemitism in U.S. Involvement in WWII

It is evident that antisemitism played a significant role in the delayed response of the United States to the Holocaust and the broader conflict of World War II. Had the attack on Pearl Harbor not occurred, it is likely that the U.S. would have continued to delay its involvement, influenced by the pervasive antisemitic attitudes of the time. The widespread nature of antisemitism in the late 1930s, supported by various organizations and public figures, contributed to a national climate of indifference towards the suffering of Jews during the Holocaust.

References:

• Anti-Defamation League. (n.d.). History of Antisemitism in America.
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. (n.d.). Antisemitism in America.
• Goldhagen, D. J. (1996). Hitler's Willing Executioners: Ordinary Germans and the Holocaust.