Final answer:
The response to the proposed bill to admit 20,000 Jewish refugee children into the US was characterized by political hesitation, anti-Semitism, and strict immigration quotas. Despite support from some sectors, the bill was blocked in the Senate and never came to a vote, reflecting the broader reluctance of the American public and government to change immigration policies during the 1930s and World War II.
Step-by-step explanation:
The American public's response to the proposed bill to admit 20,000 Jewish refugee children in the US was complex and ultimately resulted in inaction due to prevalent anti-Semitism, political maneuvering, and a rigid immigration quota system. After the horrors of Kristallnacht became known globally, a bipartisan bill was introduced in Congress, endorsed by religious and labor groups, and supported by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. However, it faced significant opposition from nationalist organizations and certain key politicians whose support President Roosevelt needed. Consequently, this lack of strong political will, combined with widespread xenophobia, led to the bill's removal from consideration in the Senate. During the 1930s and World War II, most Americans supported strict immigration quotas that kept out Jewish refugees, and it was not until 1944 that efforts, such as the creation of the War Refugee Board, began to offer some relief.
Internationally, the response varied; the United Kingdom facilitated the Kindertransport, rescuing thousands of Jewish children, whereas the U.S. struggled to enact similar lifesaving measures. The failed Evian Conference and the tragic journey of the SS St. Louis further exemplified the limited refuge available to Jewish refugees fleeing persecution. Not until the aftermath of the Holocaust did the U.S. government more significantly address the restrictions preventing Jewish immigration, largely due to continued advocacy by Jewish leaders and a shift in political perspective.