Americans and the Holocaust: traveling exhibition

Abstract

This touring exhibition examines the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped American’s responses to Nazism, war, and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s. As archivist Anthony Wright de Hernandez mentioned, the exhibit was designed to bring the unique and authoritative content curated by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to parts of the country that have limited access to primary sources related to the Holocaust... Having the exhibit here makes those educational opportunities available locally for people who might not be able to make that trip. "Americans and the Holocaust" addresses important themes in American history, exploring the many factors —including the Great Depression, isolationism, xenophobia, racism, and antisemitism— that influenced decisions made by the U.S. government, the news media, organizations, and individuals as they responded to Nazism. This exhibition will challenge the commonly held assumptions that Americans knew little and did nothing about the Nazi persecution and murder of Jews as the Holocaust unfolded. The exhibit asks questions, it presents facts and stories, and it leaves conclusions to the viewers.