Reading

Jewish Refugees from Austria

Examine a 1938 poll that reveals the public opinion in the United States toward the Jewish refugee crisis.

Last Updated: March 12, 2018

Reading

Language

English — US

Also available in:

Spanish

Subject

History

The Holocaust

The incorporation of Austria into Germany spelled terror for the 200,000 Jews in that country. Between 1,500 and 3,500 Austrian Jews applied for immigration visas (documents needed for permission to enter a country) to come to the United States. President Franklin Roosevelt was sympathetic to their plight but believed that he did not have the public’s support to ask Congress to change the quota system under which immigrants were admitted. A poll published in Fortune magazine in 1938 reveals much about public opinion in the United States.

Attitudes toward Allowing German, Austrian, and Other Political Refugees into the United States, July 1938

We should encourage their arrival even if our immigration quotas are raised.

4.9%

We should allow their arrival but not raise our immigration quotas.

18.2%

Given our current conditions, we should keep them out.

67.4%

I don’t know.

9.5%

Source: Fortune magazine, July 1938.

Facing History & Ourselves, " Jewish Refugees from Austria," last updated March 12, 2018.

Unit

Explore the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism and the humanitarian refugee crisis it provoked during the 1930s and 1940s.

A crowd of American men and women hold signs protesting Nazi Germany's actions.

Unit

Designed for California 10th grade world history courses, this unit guides students through a study of the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide that focuses on choices and human behavior.

Assessment

Students begin to understand and stake out a preliminary position in response to the assessment writing prompt.

Facing History and Ourselves Bullying Summit September 29th 2012 in Los Angeles CA

Assessment

After learning about the Armenian Genocide, students reflect on the writing prompt a second time by adding a historical lense.

Lesson

Students connect themes from the film to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's concept of “single stories," and then consider what it would take to tell more equitable and accurate narratives.

Assessment

Students incorporate new evidence from the history of the Weimar era into the position they are developing.

Assessment

Students consider how what they've learned about the rise of the Nazi Party influences their thinking about the essay prompt and practice making inferences.

Assessment

Students review the documents and videos from previous lessons and consider what information supports, expands, or challenges their thinking about the essay.

Lesson

Students view the film, analyze a primary source from the Oyneg Shabes archive, and consider why it matters who tells the stories of the Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto.

Assessment

Students reflect on, gather evidence for, and discuss the unit writing prompt in its entirety.

Assessment

Students reflect on the unit as a whole and begin to write a strong thesis statement for their essay.

Unit

Invite students to reflect on why it matters who tells our stories as they view a documentary film about the profound courage and resistance of the Oyneg Shabes in the Warsaw ghetto.

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Jewish Refugees from Austria

At a Glance

Language

Subject

Attitudes toward Allowing German, Austrian, and Other Political Refugees into the United States, July 1938

Get the Handout

How to Cite This Reading

You might also be interested in…

Americans and the Holocaust: The Refugee Crisis

Teaching the Holocaust and Armenian Genocide: For California Educators

Introducing and Dissecting the Writing Prompt

Introducing Evidence Logs

Telling Our Histories

Adding to Evidence Logs, 1 of 4

Adding to Evidence Logs, 2 of 4

Adding to Evidence Logs, 3 of 4

Watching Who Will Write Our History

Adding to Evidence Logs, 4 of 4

Refining the Thesis and Finalizing Evidence Logs

Teaching Who Will Write Our History

Jewish Refugees from Austria

At a Glance

Language

Subject

Attitudes toward Allowing German, Austrian, and Other Political Refugees into the United States, July 1938

Get the Handout

How to Cite This Reading

You might also be interested in…

Americans and the Holocaust: The Refugee Crisis

Teaching the Holocaust and Armenian Genocide: For California Educators

Introducing and Dissecting the Writing Prompt

Introducing Evidence Logs

Telling Our Histories

Adding to Evidence Logs, 1 of 4

Adding to Evidence Logs, 2 of 4

Adding to Evidence Logs, 3 of 4

Watching Who Will Write Our History

Adding to Evidence Logs, 4 of 4

Refining the Thesis and Finalizing Evidence Logs

Teaching Who Will Write Our History

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