American Reaction on Holocaust

This essay discusses the American public's reaction to the Holocaust during World War II. During this time, news of the atrocities being committed by Nazi Germany filtered through to America, but many people were unaware of their full extent. As news reports increased and more details became available, a number of public reactions began to emerge.

In some quarters, there was disbelief that such horrors could exist in modern Europe. The general view among those who did accept it as true was one of anger and outrage at what they perceived as unjustified genocide. Many Americans organized rallies and demonstrations in protest against the Nazis and called for action from President Franklin Roosevelt’s administration as well as other world leaders in order to help stop the killings.

At the same time, there were also those who saw the situation as nothing more than a distant European conflict, and felt no obligation to get involved. Others went further, downplaying or denying reports of mass killings as exaggeration or fabrication by Allied propaganda.

In addition to demonstrations and protests, many people sought to help in more direct ways. Jewish-American organizations such as HIAS and the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee raised funds for refugees and provided assistance wherever it was needed. Many individuals also donated money and supplies, wrote letters to government officials pleading for action against Nazi Germany, or joined volunteer groups that collected donations of food, clothing, medical supplies and even books from Americans who wanted to help alleviate the suffering of Jews living in Europe.

The Holocaust was a devastating event in human history, and the American reaction to it was far from uniform. For some, there was disbelief that such atrocities could exist in modern Europe; for others, outrage and calls for action; while still more turned away from the suffering of their Jewish brethren. Whatever the public opinion at large may have been, however, one thing is certain: many individuals chose to take a stand and do something to help those who were being persecuted by Nazi Germany.