Question

How did countries like the U.S. respond to the 'refugee problem' in the summer of 1938?

Answer 1

In the summer of 1938, countries like the U.S. were grappling with the refugee problem as a result of the persecution of Jews and other groups by Nazi Germany. However, their response was generally limited and not very effective in addressing the crisis.

The U.S. government under President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Evian Conference in July 1938, which brought together representatives from 32 countries to discuss the refugee crisis. However, the conference failed to produce any significant results, as most countries were unwilling to accept large numbers of refugees.

In the aftermath of the conference, the U.S. government increased the number of visas available for immigrants from Germany and other countries, but the quota remained relatively low and did not significantly increase the number of refugees who were able to enter the country. Additionally, the U.S. State Department had strict requirements for refugees to demonstrate financial self-sufficiency and other criteria, which made it difficult for many refugees to gain entry.

Overall, the response of countries like the U.S. to the refugee problem in the summer of 1938 was inadequate, and many refugees were left without a safe haven as the situation in Europe continued to deteriorate. It was not until after World War II that the international community developed more effective mechanisms for dealing with refugees, including the establishment of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the adoption of international conventions on refugee protection

Answer 2

In the summer of 1938, the U.S. and other countries faced the challenge of addressing the growing refugee crisis resulting from increasing persecution of Jews and other minorities in Germany and Austria under Nazi rule. The response was marked by the Évian Conference, held in Évian-les-Bains, France, in July 1938.

The conference was attended by representatives from 32 countries, including the United States, and several non-governmental organizations. While many countries expressed sympathy for the plight of the refugees, their actions were limited. Most countries, including the United States, did not significantly increase their immigration quotas or take any substantial measures to accommodate more refugees.

The United States maintained restrictive immigration policies, with the quota system in place since the 1920s. The annual quota for German and Austrian immigrants was around 27,000, but this number was not even fully utilized due to bureaucratic obstacles and stringent visa requirements.

The outcome of the Évian Conference was widely seen as a failure, as it did not result in any significant increase in countries' commitments to accept refugees. The lack of international action in response to the refugee crisis was disheartening to those affected and may have emboldened the Nazis in their persecutory policies. The situation worsened in the following years, culminating in the Holocaust, which claimed the lives of millions of Jews and other persecuted groups.