Language:
English
Year of publication:
1990
Titel der Quelle:
Holocaust and Genocide Studies
Angaben zur Quelle:
5,4 (1990) 423-446
Keywords:
Wyman, David S.
;
Jews History 1939-1945
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Influence
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
;
World War, 1939-1945 Diplomatic history
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) Historiography
Abstract:
Surveys works written between 1967-88. Contends that there is broad agreement among historians (e.g. Wyman, Feingold, Medoff, Penkower, Breitman and Kraut) that the U.S. was guilty of apathy bordering on "equal guilt" in its response to the Holocaust, but that the historical evidence does not bear this out. Takes issue with Wyman's analysis in "The Abandonment of the Jews" (1984) stating that he exaggerates the possibilities for mass rescue, consistently sympathizes with the activities of the Bergson Group, and expresses a special bitterness toward American Jewish organizations. Contends that the only way to save the Jews was by winning the war as rapidly as possible; that U.S. policy may have been unnecessarily cautious, or overly deferential to Britain, but it was not due to moral obtuseness or specific dislike of the Jews; that the Bergsonites' actions alienated government leaders from the Jewish cause; and that it was not indifference but calculations of national interests which guided America and her allies. A response by Wyman appears on pp. 485-486, in which he states that Brecher's article is confused and inaccurate.
Note:
Mainly on Wyman's book "The Abandonment of the Jews; America and the Holocaust, 1941-1945", with Wyman's response on pp. 485-486.
,
Appeared also in "The Holocaust; Readings & Interpretations" (2001) 340-362.
URL:
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