In all fairness to FDR, he certainly did do more than "lift a finger" to help the Jews, both before and after the outbreak of war in Europe.
First of all, throughout this period, total immigration to the US was severely restricted by US law, which FDR could not change.
However, what he did do was make sure that of those legally admitted, the vast majority were Jewish.
Second, before war started, FDR helped negotiate emigration of Jews from Germany to other countries in Europe & elsewhere.
By war's beginning, over 60% of Germany's half-million Jews had emigrated, unfortunately, most not far enough away.
Third, the "Holocaust proper" -- with all its horrors of mass exportations, gassing chambers and crematoriums -- did not really begin until after Hitler declared war on the United States.
By that time information on specific events in Eastern Europe was sealed up tight, and did not leak out until nearer war's end.
By mid-1943 the US was already punishing Germany with massive bombings, and was well along with planning the D-Day invasion.
Further, by then deaths world-wide were averaging circa 1.5 million per month, of which perhaps 125,000 were Jews.
So the question remains: what more coulda, shoulda, woulda FDR have done to save more Jews without increasing the deaths of others?
Finally, you misread FDR entirely if you fail to understand his close relationship to the American Jewish community, his dependency on them for political support, and his desires to do whatever he could to help them.
Indeed, at the time they were entirely supportive of FDR's goals and priorities.
In this regard I should mention that the atom bomb dropped on Japan was originally intended for Germany, and FDR's "Morganthau Plan" was to reduce Germans to farmers & agricultural workers who could harm nobody.
In short, FDR hated the Germans, wanted them punished as severely as possible, and in that was hugely appreciated by the American Jewish community.
It's been some time since I went down this path of study but my impression has always been that there are disconnects between what many believe FDR said, what he actually said, what he did and probably most importantly what he had the power to do.
First of all, throughout this period, total immigration to the US was severely restricted by US law, which FDR could not change. However, what he did do was make sure that of those legally admitted, the vast majority were Jewish.
This may be where one of those FDR disconnects exists. I just did a very superficial review of U.S. immigration in the 1930's. Perhaps the following quote from the U.S. Holocaust Museum summarizes my general understanding:
his increased involvement in the refugee issue helped to fill the combined German and Austrian quotas for the first and only time: 27,300 Germans and Austrians, mostly Jewish refugees, entered the United States in 1939.Second, before war started, FDR helped negotiate emigration of Jews from Germany to other countries in Europe & elsewhere. By war's beginning, over 60% of Germany's half-million Jews had emigrated, unfortunately, most not far enough away.
One could say FDR had an "anywhere but here" attitude toward assisting Jewish resettlement. From the U.S. Holocaust Museum:
On July 6, 1938, he summoned a conference on refugees in Évian-les-Bains, France. The US president had hoped that the participating countries would pledge to take in some refugees, although his larger goal was to create an intergovernmental organization that would settle Reich Jews in large numbers in remote areas of Africa, South America, and elsewhere. Roosevelt expended some time and effort, and was willing to spend some money, on these mass resettlement schemes during 1938 and 1939.Third, the "Holocaust proper" -- with all its horrors of mass exportations, gassing chambers and crematoriums -- did not really begin until after Hitler declared war on the United States. By that time information on specific events in Eastern Europe was sealed up tight, and did not leak out until nearer war's end.
We didn't know is not an excuse. Over the past year, followers of Homer's daily NYT thread have read numerous credible reports of mass slaughter taking place, especially in East Europe.
By mid-1943 the US was already punishing Germany with massive bombings, and was well along with planning the D-Day invasion. Further, by then deaths world-wide were averaging circa 1.5 million per month, of which perhaps 125,000 were Jews. So the question remains: what more coulda, shoulda, woulda FDR have done to save more Jews without increasing the deaths of others?
Without using the example of British humanitarian assistance during the Greek famine and American food shipments to Vichy, I agree with you here. Once the war started, FDR in order to save the most lives had to focus on bringing the war to a rapid conclusion.
Finally, you misread FDR entirely if you fail to understand his close relationship to the American Jewish community, his dependency on them for political support, and his desires to do whatever he could to help them. Indeed, at the time they were entirely supportive of FDR's goals and priorities.
I understand how Jews view FDR but as is the case now, if the demographic is more closely examined, I bet FDR had strongest support from the secular socialist Jews he could most easily relate to.
In this regard I should mention that the atom bomb dropped on Japan was originally intended for Germany, and FDR's "Morganthau Plan" was to reduce Germans to farmers & agricultural workers who could harm nobody.
In short, FDR hated the Germans, wanted them punished as severely as possible, and in that was hugely appreciated by the American Jewish community.
If I remember correctly, FDR reportedly didn't blink when Stalin told him every German officer, or every German officer above the rank of lieutenant should be executed.