AMERICAN ANTI-SEMITISM 1900-1938

Although discrimination is against the principles of the United States Constitution, "social anti-Semitism" flourished in pre-World War 2 America.  We appeared "dirty".  We were accused of money hoarding.  We were refused entrance in clubs, resorts, colleges, neighborhoods.  We were prevented from working in medicine, law, and education.  In spite of this 55% of employed Jewish America achieved positions as professionals by 1957.

Laws establishing immigration quotas began in 1882.  By 1924, the annual quota from all countries was 153,774.  The labor movement, in many areas begun by us, was opposed to increases.  The United States government refused to protest the treatment of Jewish Germany.  Secretary of State Cordell Hull maintained that protest would aggravate the situation.  Franklin Roosevelt would also not allow it.  In 1938, immigration from Germany was increased to 65% of quota but evacuation efforts amounted to offering neutral countries money to accept refugees.  After the Kristallnacht of 1938 Franklin Roosevelt insisted that immigration laws would not be relaxed and the United States maintained economic ties with Nazi Germany.