The U.S. and the Holocaust (Ken Burns)

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Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein’s three-part, six-hour documentary series, The U.S. and the Holocaust, examines how the American people and our leaders responded to one of the greatest humanitarian disasters of the twentieth century, and how this catastrophe challenged our identity as a nation of immigrants and the very ideals of our democracy. Producer: Sarah Botstein, Ken Burns, Lynn Novick, Mike Welt. Author: Geoffrey C. Ward. Narrator: Peter Coyote
Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.48 x 5.39 x 0.59 inches; 2.72 ounces
Director ‏ : ‎ Burns, Ken, Novick, Lynn, Botstein, Sarah
Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC
Run time ‏ : ‎ 6 hours
Release date ‏ : ‎ October 4, 2022
Actors ‏ : ‎ Liam Neeson, Meryl Streep, Helena Zengel, Adam Arkin, Paul Corning
Studio ‏ : ‎ PBS (Direct)
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B1B4Y71L
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 3
5
Reviewer: D. Nykiel
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Everyone should see this documentary—especially in this day and age
Review: Ken Burns’ excellent new three-part documentary, “The U.S. and the Holocaust” is probably one of the most important—and timely—documentaries he has ever made. However, counter to what the title might imply, this documentary tells not just the story of Americans’ response to the Holocaust, but, this documentary, in fact, tells a larger narrative—that of the broader problem of American xenophobia more generally, and it handily smashes the myth of America as a (supposedly) tolerant, inclusive or pluralistic society. The reality was that America, for a very long time, has been just as hostile, cruel, and intolerant towards any number of populations who the majority population chose to demonize as “The Other.” It just happens to be that overtly Fascist societies such as Nazi Germany, and even contemporary Fascist societies—such as Syria under Bashar al-Assad, Hungary under Viktor Orban, or Russia under Vladimir Putin—have not been as nakedly violent towards their minorities. Their xenophobia is usually expressed in somewhat different ways. We learn about the development of the xenophobic pseudo-science of Eugenics. We learn about the rise of Nazism and other Fascist ideologies—and how Hitler admired how the U.S. killed, marginalized, and otherwise persecuted ethnic, racial, and religious minorities. We learn about how divided American Jews were regarding how much they should even talk about the persecution going on in Europe; Some believed that an alarm should be sounded, while others felt that the best thing to do was to keep one’s head down out of fear of being persecuted here in America. We even learn about the rise of neo-Fascist organizations in the United States. Throughout the DVD, Ken Burns peppers his documentary with the stories of various European Jews and their attempts to come to the U.S. and their experiences in both the U.S. as well as in their home country during the Second World War. We learn about how Hitler formed his Nazi Empire and the various countries he conquered and the various ways in which the Nazis persecuted the Jews. Viewers will also learn about how many Americans actually agreed with the Nazis’ persecution of Jews, and how many of them became some of the earliest Neo-Nazis. We also learn about how other minority groups were persecuted as well—some by the Nazis, others by the Communists, and others by other people. Viewers will learn about how the Nazis sent spies to spy on Americans, and hoe the fear of those German spies was used to justify American anti-Semitism and xenophobia. Viewers learn about how some organizations and individuals attempted to circumnavigate all the barriers put in front of Jewish refugees by the U.S. government and others. We learn about several rather famous Jewish refugees who made their way to America. Viewers learn about how, after years of persecuting the Jews in a general sense, the Nazis began to lay out the plan for the Holocaust. We learn how the U.S. government began to crack down on the very same anti-Semites and xenophobes it had tried to appease. Then, Ken Burns’ documentary begins to discuss and describe the Holocaust itself. We learn how American isolationism ends abruptly after Germany, Italy, and Japan officially declare war on the United States. Viewers learn about the internment of Germans, German-Americans, Japanese, Japanese-Americans, Italians, and Italian-Americans, by the U.S. government because the U.S. saw them as subversives by virtue of their racial and ethnic makeup. Viewers will learn how many Jews did, in fact make it to America or other safer corners of Europe and how, eventually, the American public learns about the lies American politicians had told them in order to justify American xenophobia and anti-Semitism—and to hide the reality of what was going on in the concentration camps both to prevent people from being opposed to U.S. involvement in World War II and to justify the U.S.’s own xenophobia and anti-Semitism, and how Americans only learned what happened to the Jews and others when the allies liberated the camps. The documentary ends with the Nuremberg Trials, a brief discussion of who coined the term “Holocaust,” and a discussion of the signing of the Immigration Act of 1965. Ken Burns’ documentary, “The U.S. and the Holocaust” is divided into six episodes. Episode 1 deals with America’s response to Jewish immigration—and, really, foreigners more generally—before the Second World War. The reality is that before the late 1800’s, what we now call immigration law did not exist, and people could come and go as they please. Yes, there was intolerance, yes, there was racism, slavery, and lots of other issues, but generally, before the late 1800’s, Americans had no problem with immigration. It was only later that this type of xenophobia developed. Ken Burns masterfully shows how the ways in which anti-Semitism—and xenophobia in general—were propagated—and put into action—in Nazi Germany were very similar to how ethnic and religious minorities were treated in the U.S., except for the fact that in Germany, any violence was government-sponsored, while in the U.S., it was not. I found it interesting, ironic, and a bit surprising that even American-born Jews were hostile to foreign-born ones in the early days. When one of those historians talked about people’s fears that because many of the immigrants were poor, sick, disabled, disadvantaged, and so on that their problems—the problems and issues that they were facing—would somehow “infect” mainstream American society sounds a lot like the xenophobic rhetoric that one hears from people like Tucker Carlson on Fox News when he accused immigrants of making America “poorer and dirtier.” Ken Burns’ own discussion of what we now call the Great Replacement Theory—the silly, ridiculous, delusional, bigoted—and dangerous—myth propagated by many on the right today such as Tucker Carlson in the United States and Hungary’s leader, Viktor Orban, the head of the Fascist Fidesz Party—and it is a Fascist party—Marine Le Pen in Fraance, and Italy’s new Fascist leader, Giorgia Meloni, among others. I was surprised that the last sterilization laws was only repealed in 2014. I also see a lot of parallels between why the extreme far right was allowed to take over established conservative parties in Germany in 1933 and how they have done the same with America’s own conservative movement. I also found it interesting—and, frankly, kind of surprising—that in the early twentieth century, the positions that Democrats and Republicans had on immigration are quite literally the exact opposite that they have today. I have also seen—sadly—these kinds of attitudes come to be absorbed into America’s own Republican Party—and the Conservative Movement more generally. In hindsight, it seems that under former President Donald J. Trump, those very same barriers that anti-immigration hawks in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s were, in fact, reinstated. In some ways, I find it ironic—and, frankly hypocritical—that FDR pretended to be fearful of the growing tide of pro-Nazi and anti-Semitic views in the U.S., when many of those very xenophobic views were promoted by people in FDR’s own administration. I was surprised at how much of the racist and xenophobic aspects of the Nazis’ ideology was, in fact, influenced by a lot of the very same racist, xenophobic views of American politicians and thinkers. It is interesting that the very same whataboutism that various contemporary dictators often use against us when we challenge their human rights abuses was also the way the Nazis often deflected criticism of how the German government treated minorities during the World War II era. I was surprised at how chummy America was with the Nazis before we entered World War II. Those sham referenda that the Nazis held to justify the annexation of various parts of Europe sounds a lot like the fake pseudo-“referendum” that are being used to justify Vladimir Putin’s takeover of Ukraine. The fact that you needed entry and exit visas sounds a lot like how—even today—in many of the former Soviet Republics that have remained dictatorships (e.g. Belarus, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Russia, etc), you also need special documentation both to enter and to leave. I was surprised that Spain, who was an ally of Nazi Germany actually offered refuge to many Jews. When I had first learned this in a biography of Spain’s Fascist dictator, Francisco Franco, by a friend of his, Roberto De La Cierva, I was skeptics and initially thought it was another lie made up to cover up the brutality of a dictator by an ardent supporter; yet as Ken Burns points out, Franco did, in fact, take in several Jews. I feel that FDR’s treasury secretary, Henry Morgenthau, Jr., was right, when he accused anti-immigration and anti-Semitic elements in the government were, to some extent, complicit in the murder of the Jews due to their own refusal to take people in. At the same time, I was a bit surprised that the U.S. government—and the American public at large—continued to be hostile toward immigrants and immigration even after seeing the results of the Holocaust. I am not surprised that there were bigots, xenophobes and racists back then—there still are people like that in this country today—but what I am surprised by is how people continued to harbor these views even after seeing what the Nazis had done. It is also ironic that former Nazis were also allowed into the United States after World War II solely because thet were anti-Communist—but then again, the U.S. has propped up other Fascist governments for those very same reasons—the government of Augusto Pinochet in Chile, the government of Juan Perón in Argentina, the government of Saddam Hussein in Iraq (who, by the way, we actually put in power—both because the Baathists were anti-Communist but also later, during the Iran-Iraq War, because they were secular and anti-Iranian). I also thought that it was interesting that it was, in fact, a Holocaust survivor, Raphael Lempkin, who actually was the first to actually call it “The Holocaust” and was also the first to coin the term “Genocide” as well.This is probably one of the most fascinating, important, and timely documentaries that Ken Burns has ever made. Everyone should watch it.

Reviewer: habtwp
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Eye opener
Review: I thought I knew a lot about WW2, I missed a few things. This documentary shows the nasty side of humanity. No country should brag about winning WW2…they failed to act quicker and show compassion for it’s fellowman. Racism is the same today as it was then; ppl have not learned much. It is a real eye opener.

Reviewer: john porreco
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: The Holocaust and the planned Genocide of the Jews , Gypsies and Mentally Impaired .
Review: Very informative , didn’t realize how much that the US State Department stonewalled the Immigration of Jews . Of course the US was still feeling the results of the Great Depression , Poverty and Unemployment . By contrast our current So-called Immigration at our borders by Illegals Skirting the system and tapping into resources that our Poor , Veterans and Unemployed could certainly benefit from is ridiculous . We The People are being Taxed and We through our Immigrant forefathers earned our way , some slaves , indentured servants , pioneers and people escaping from famine and political persecution.

Reviewer: Mireya Kuritz
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: WOW Amazing
Review: Even after seen so many documents on the subject this brought to light more un knowns, everyone should watch this. All true facts no sugar coating.

Reviewer: C. Michalski
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great Documentary!
Review: I learned so much from this documentary and it held my interest. I knew a little about the quota system during the war and Lindbergh’s behavior but it was illuminating what the United States did and did not do. Prejudice ruled the day. I found the weaving of the Frank family story throughout the documentary added immensely to the story and there was food for thought at the end about what Anne would think had she lived. Glad I purchased it.

Reviewer: cathy carrico
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Holocaust history
Review: I have been to the holocaust museum in Jerusalem it is heart breaking. Non believers should watch this. We in the us should be ashamed at our rejection of all of those trying to flee. I strongly recommend this dvd.

Reviewer: Segue D.
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Complicated
Review: After watching, The Boy In Striped Pajamas, I became interested in learning more about the Jewish Holocaust. I wanted to see a documentary rather than a scripted movie. Ken Burns released The US and the Holocaust. The first two discs are complicated- lots of history surmised in a couple hours. It will require me a 2nd and 3rd viewing to really get a full understanding of the history that led up to the holocaust. The 3rd disc was easier to understand because it focuses on the atrocities of the genocides we are all familiar with. The documentary is very good if you’re willing to slow it down and do some research to clarify what’s being shown. Regardless of other critics, I felt the ending is appropriate reflecting on the open and blatant hatred of groups that still exist in the US against Jewish people. The documentary helped me understand my own naïveté and come to a realization that these groups will always exist.

Reviewer: Kenneth L. Matheny
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Disturbing Links Between the US and the Holocaust
Review: This is an important documentary. Burns illustrates how America’s racial theories influence Nazi racial theories. He also shows how our hostility to immigration hindered Jews who were trying to escape Germany as did antisemitism in our state department. Finally, Burns shows how our current attitudes about immigration are consistent with our attitudes through much of American history. Watching this documentary will contribute to our thinking about immigration policy in America. I watched it first on television and thought it was so significant, I bought it so I can view it over again. It’s not pleasant viewing, but it’s important. One of Burns’ best.

Reviewer: Paul Harrison
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: The detail on the history that went into this is very well done. The narrator, Peter Coyote, does an excellent presentation on this subject. I bet that there are many people who are likely unaware of the brutal racism that existed in governments, limiting immigration to a minimum, that cost thousands and thousands of innocent lives at the hands of the Nazis. Highly educational.

Reviewer: MAC
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This is one of those documentaries that should be made compulsive viewing for the good of mankind.As an Englishman – aware of his own nation’s capacity for hypocrisy, this is a film – like PSB’s superb film about the Vietnam War – that could not be made in England. It is American, living up to America’s best ideals in my view. It is an unflinching look at itself (taking in Europe) during one of the darkest periods in modern human history ever.What emerges is a number of things for me (this is what I got out of it).Firstly, the Jewish community of this world has a right to be concerned about anti-Semitism. It exists.Secondly, it has be faced that the Nazi’s were successful in their attempted extermination of the Jews. We live in a world shaped by Adolf Hitler – yet supposedly he lost. The war maybe over, but the consequences live on, God help us. Have we really dealt with the consequences properly?Thirdly, there is an unflinching look at some unsavoury traits in the established Jewish communities in the USA and Israel itself towards new, in-coming communities of Jews from places where they faced or still face hostility. This is a real eye opener and very sad indeed and needs unpicking. What does it tell us about the societies we inhabit?Fourthly, I am very disappointed indeed in the behaviour of some historical Christian leaders who in my opinion should have known better.I am left with one over-riding concern from this film.Are our modern politicians up to the job of managing the nuances and problems bequeathed to us by the Nazis all those year’s ago?Thought provoking and highly recommended but it goes where other analyses fear to tread for sure and some may find that uncomfortable and even going too far.

Reviewer: WSH
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I looked forward to watching this, but was disappointed. Certainly, the program has all the familiar slickness of the Ken Burns treatment, and there is an impressive array of historical footage that, technically speaking, looks astonishingly good. Of course, much of the content is astonishingly horrible. My main complaint is that the narrative suffers from the fallacy of presentism: viewing past events largely through the prism of today’s experience. History, properly pursued, treats with the past on its terms. This does not mean validating values or ideas that were unsound or evil then, and now, but getting down to the roots of motivation in the particular swirl of a particular time. The documentary too often treats the period of the 1920s-1940s as a settled proposition, of white hats and black hats, when, for most people living through it, uncertainty and contradiction were the dominant strains of the times. America, along with most countries in the Western world, remained mired in the Great Depression until the ‘stimulus’ of the war economy kicked in. Putting bread on the table was people’s first concern, not what might be happening in faraway Europe. The documentary lets this reality slip into the background as it returns over and over to the question of ‘Why didn’t America do more to rescue the Jews?’ In certain specifics, the discussion becomes hopelessly confused. For instance, mention is made several times of visas for the US being available on payment of a $5000 surety, but it is not made clear if this operated outside the immigration quota system. The viewer is thus left wondering what to conclude regarding the response of American Jewry to the persecution of the Jews in Germany and elsewhere. Double standards creep into the commentary at times. For instance, it is suggested that the scepticism of a foreign correspondent concerning reports of mass killings reflected a lack of sympathy for Jews, when the same scepticism expressed by a Jewish Supreme Court judge is framed as an expression of how, because of his great humanity, he could not imagine such atrocities. Some of the ‘witnesses’ and ‘experts’ used by the documentary makers contribute to the simplistic, broad-brush construction that labels every doubt and hesitation of a Gentile as proof of ingrained anti-Semitism. The producers themselves might have applied a filter of scepticism to some statements and claims made by the ‘talent’, which, from my understanding, did not always ring true. In this context, I would also mention that historical footage is used in places with the deliberate intent of suggesting a direct correspondence between the images on screen and the specific facts of the narrative at that moment, when in fact no more than a general relevance is true. This sort of thing is commonly indulged by film documentary makers, and comparatively rare here, but nonetheless it is dishonest. The telescript by Geoffrey C Ward is notable for its generous treatment of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Ward is a Roosevelt biographer, and his colours show. For instance, he makes no mention of FDR’s peculiar (certainly by present-day standards) views on race and race-mixing. Ward is not a recognised authority on the Third Reich or the Second World War. His tendency to posit a moral equivalency concerning people and events (the white hat/black hat approach), such that Charles Lindbergh and Henry Ford, for instance, are effectively bracketed with Heinrich Himmler and Adolf Eichmann as enablers together of Hitler’s extermination policy, is unhelpful in reaching an understanding of either side: the American nativists and isolationists or the Nazi ideologues, fanatics and bureaucrats of the Holocaust. Sadly, this program was an opportunity lost.

Reviewer: Kathy
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Heavy story

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Good, informative account. Tough.