They All Knew More Than They Let On
- But now there's proof that the good guys did know what was happening, including Franklin Roosevelt, "the illustrious occupant of the White House" (75).
- Elie Wiesel doesn't argue that FDR was a great leader. He mobilized the military to fight against fascism and dictatorships, but in terms of Jewish history, he's not remembered very fondly.
- He points to "the depressing tale of the St. Louis" (81). (Take a peek at the "Timeline" for more information.)
- FDR knew people needed help, and Wiesel doesn't understand how a man with such a good heart could send the refugees on board the St. Louis back to Europe to die.
- America was the greatest democracy in the world, but somehow, they let all this stuff happen. "Why the indifference, on the highest level, to the suffering of the victims?" (92)
- That said, there were people who understood what was happening to the Jews, and they tried to help stop it. But there weren't a whole lot of them.
- To make matters worse, there were American corporations who did business with Nazi Germany until 1942. Especially considering there are documents that say the Germans couldn't have invaded France without American oil.
- How can anyone explain that kind of indifference?