The+World's+Reaction+to+Hitler

The World Reacts to Hitler, 1933 to 1939
 media type="file" key="The World Reacts to Hitler.mp3" width="240" height="20"

At first Western leaders reacted favourably to Hitler's economic reforms and chose to ignore or did not realize the dangers of Nazi rule. The last thing they wanted was another war like the last one, especially in the middle of a Depression. Most leaders, including Mackenzie King, favoured a policy of appeasement - giving Hitler what he wanted in order to avoid another war.

Here's what Mackenzie King wrote in his diary in February 1938:

"I believe Hitler was honest in what he said to me [in June 1937] and will control the situation for peace. He will, however, make known anew his purpose to have a real say in Europe... [Hitler is] indicating real leadership in an appalling European situation..." National Archives of Canada, Diaries of Mackenzie King, February 20, 1938

But not everyone was in favour of appeasement. Winston Churchill, who became prime minister of Britain in 1940, once said, "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last"

Watch this video about appeasement, as well as a few other aspects of the lead up to WW2. media type="youtube" key="o6YvSCIPBAA" height="390" width="480"

Questions 1
1. a) In your own words, explain what is meant by the term "appeasement."

b) Is appeasement always a mistake? Or are there times when it's a good idea to meet our enemies halfway? EXPLAIN your reasoning.

2. What did Churchill mean by his quote above? Put it in your own words.

Sometimes a cartoon says it all. In this cartoon all of the leaders of the different countries are bent over on their hands and knees, with some on top of each other, forming a set of stairs. On the backs of these leaders is a carpet, with Hitler marching up their backs, thumbing his nose. Each of the first steps has a phrase on it, with the first saying "rearmament". At the bottom is a title, Spineless Leaders of Democracy".

3. What do you think this cartoon means? In your own words describe what you think the cartoonist might be saying. [|Hitler Cartoon Description.mp3]

<span style="background-color: #e2dfdf; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">Jewish Refugees
<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">Events in Germany alarmed the Jewish community, and many German Jews tried to get out. Although some did manage to escape, many countries were unwilling to take in large numbers of refugees.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">In March 1939, the SS St. Louis left Hamburg with 907 Jewish men, women, and children aboard. The ship sailed first for Cuba, then a country largely controlled by the United States. When it arrived, however, the Cuban government would not let the passengers land. Neither would Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Panama, or the United States.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">A number of prominent Canadians sent a telegram to Prime Minister King, begging him to allow the ship into the country. But King refused. Frederick Blair, the prime minister's chief adviser on immigration matters, expressed the government's position this way:

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">Canada cannot open its doors wide enough to take in the hundreds of thousands of Jewish people who want to leave Europe: the line must be drawn somewhere.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">From 1933 to 1939, Canada admitted only about 4000 Jewish immigrants. Compare this with the United States, which took in about 240 000. <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">It was true that unemployment was high, but this was not the only factor in King's decision. Anti-Semitism (prejudice against Jews) was widespread in many nations - including Canada. Many Canadian clubs and organizations would not allow Jews to become members. Jews were barred from some professions, and many Jewish people already living in Canada found it necessary to hide their identity in order to get work.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">The SS St. Louis could find no country that would accept its human cargo, so it returned to Hamburg. Many of the passengers would later die at the hands of the Nazis.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">Even after the war, this attitude continued, with Canada only permitting 1000 Jews to enter the country after 6 million had been butchered at the hands of the Nazis. When asked how many Jews should be let into Canada, one Canadian immigration official in 1945 stated, "none is too many". Canada has a long history with racism, and this was one of it's most ugly chapters.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">Maggiacomo Fact <span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">In Westdale, where Mr. M used to live, Jews were not allowed to buy homes there until the 1950's. Now, Westdale has a large and thriving Jewish community.

<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">Questions 2
<span style="background-color: #e2dfdf; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">4. Edmund Burke (1729-1797), a British politician, once wrote: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good [people] do nothing." How does this quotation apply to the SS St. Louis incident and to the plight of Jews in the 1930s in general?

<span style="background-color: #e2dfdf; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">5. a) What is your reaction to Canada's refusal to admit the refugees on the SS St. Louis?

<span style="background-color: #e2dfdf; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">b) In your opinion, does Canada have a duty to accept refugees who are fleeing from dangerous situations? Write down a few points either FOR or AGAINST.