Allied Response to Holocaust
What was the
Response to the
Holocaust??
What did the Allies Know?
Foreign correspondents commented on all anti-Jewish actions prior to WWII
Details of the “final solution” began to filter out to the
West in 1941-42 (smuggled out of Poland)
American gov’t confirmed reports to Jewish leaders in
Nov. 1942 (although details were not complete)
Ultimately…..Allies were aware of what happened
What was the Allied
Response?
The response was “inadequate”
Only in 1944, was the War Refugee Board est. for the purpose of saving the victims
Allies did issue a condemnation of Nazi actions in Dec.
1942 (but the only declaration prior to 1944)
No attempt to appeal to local European population (to refrain); no one held accountable
U.S. did not change immigration laws
Response of Red Cross
The International Red Cross did very little to aid the
Jewish victims of Nazi persecution
Refused to publicly protest or intervene on behalf of the
Jews. Believed public protest would be detrimental to their welfare
IRC did visit a “model ghetto” of Terezin. Germans agreed (9 months after request) in July 1944
Attitude of the Church
Pope Pius XI neither criticized nor mentioned antisemitism
His successor Pope Pius XII maintained neutrality throughout the war even though Vatican had detailed information in 1942.
Public comments focused on expression of sympathy for victims and calls for humane conduct
Other Country Responses
Japan and Italy refused to participate in the “Final
Solution”
Japanese were relatively tolerant toward the Jews, allowing them to enter Japan during the course of the war
