Letter from Ernest Klein to President Franklin Roosevelt about Kristallnacht
11/15/1938
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The events of Kristallnacht were widely reported in the press. But public opinion on admitting additional refugees into the United States remained divided. Mail came into the White House both calling for action and demanding restraint in dealing with Germany and the Jewish crisis. This divide in public opinion placed enormous constraints on FDR’s ability to steer Congress towards more liberal immigration policies.
Shortly after Kristallnacht, Ernest L. Klein from Chicago wrote this letter to the President urging him “to take such steps as may be deemed advisable to curb this madness.” FDR responded a few days later and advised Klein of efforts by the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees to negotiate with Germany for the orderly emigration of “the unfortunate victims” to other countries.
Shortly after Kristallnacht, Ernest L. Klein from Chicago wrote this letter to the President urging him “to take such steps as may be deemed advisable to curb this madness.” FDR responded a few days later and advised Klein of efforts by the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees to negotiate with Germany for the orderly emigration of “the unfortunate victims” to other countries.
This primary source comes from the Collection FDR-FDRPOF: President's Official Files (Roosevelt Administration).
National Archives Identifier: 2778275
Full Citation: Letter from Ernest Klein to President Franklin Roosevelt about Kristallnacht; 11/15/1938; OF 198: Germany, Government of 1933-1943; Franklin D. Roosevelt President's Official Files, 1933–1945; Collection FDR-FDRPOF: President's Official Files (Roosevelt Administration); Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/letter-ernest-klein-to-fdr-about-kristallnacht, April 29, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.