What was America's perspective on Hitler in 1930's?

Question

I ask the question because I know many Americans applauded his "reform" of Germany not realizing what he was actually doing. I have looked for actual quotes about how American leaders felt at the time, but was unable to find any. Does anyone know where I can find specific quotes about how the American public/leaders felt?

Answer 1

Time magazine made Hitler the Person of the Year for 1938, this is what they said:

While acknowledging that in less than six years he had accomplished a remarkable transformation of the German spirit - he is "applauded wildly and ecstatically by most Germans" - there are no false illusions about the dangers he posed - "Hitler became in 1938 the greatest threatening force that the democratic, freedom - loving world faces."

The full article is at http:www.thirdreich.net/AH_Man_of_Year.html

This can give you an idea of what Americans (at least those on Time magazine thought of this monster).

Answer 2

I cannot specifically answer your question. I can give a partial, not-quite anecdotal response. Recall that from 1880s there was heavy immigration to the US from eastern Europe, and to many those back in the old country/ies were still aunts, uncles, grandparents &c.

German American Bund (volksbund), stridently pro-Germany in the 1930s-40s.
http://www.traces.org/americanbund.html

Answer 3

Well, the whole reform he was doing was what happened with Cuba. Most Cubans were estatic when Castro took over but later on it didn't turn out to good for them.

The public actually loved Hitler before they realized what he was doing. Time magazine actually named him Man of the Year in 1938.

See if this helps..

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,760539,00.html

Answer 4

If you can find anything about the American Ambassador to Britain, Joseph Kennedy who was the father of JFK, it would be useful. He was an enthusiastic supporter of Hitler.

Answer 5

Henry Ford Praised him