Traveling Exhibit | Americans and the Holocaust
UC Irvine Libraries are one of 50 US libraries selected to host Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibition from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) that examines the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s.
Based on extensive research of that period, Americans and the Holocaust addresses important themes in American history, exploring the many factors — including the Great Depression, isolationism, xenophobia, racism and antisemitism — that influenced decisions made by the US government, the news media, organizations, and individuals as they responded to Nazism. This exhibition challenges the commonly held assumptions that Americans knew little and did nothing about the Nazi persecution and murder of Jews as the Holocaust unfolded.
Drawing on a remarkable collection of primary sources from the 1930s and 1940s, the exhibition focuses on the stories of individuals and groups of Americans who took action in response to Nazism. It challenges visitors to consider the responsibilities and obstacles faced by individuals — from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to ordinary Americans — who made difficult choices, sought to effect change, and in a few cases, took significant risks to help victims of Nazism even as rescue never became a government priority.
Americans and the Holocaust was on display in Langson Library at UC Irvine Libraries from Wednesday, February 2 through Wednesday, March 9, 2022. During the exhibition, the Libraries hosted a series along with a series of related special events; links the event recordings can be found below.
To learn more about the exhibition, visit ushmm.org/americans-ala or see additional educational resources for teachers in the community.
Americans and the Holocaust: A Traveling Exhibition for Libraries is an educational initiative of the USHMM and the American Library Association.
Americans and the Holocaust was made possible by the generous support of lead sponsor Jeannie & Jonathan Lavine. Additional major funding was provided by the Bildners — Joan & Allen z”l, Elisa Spungen & Rob, Nancy & Jim; and Jane and Daniel Och. The USHMM's exhibitions are also supported by the Lester Robbins and Sheila Johnson Robbins Traveling and Special Exhibitions Fund, established in 1990.
Snapshots of Orange County in the 1940s: Spaces, Places, Faces
In conjunction with Americans and the Holocaust, UC Irvine Libraries' complementary exhibit Snapshots of Orange County in the 1940s: Spaces, Places, Faces explores the cultural, economic, and political landscape of Orange County from its inception through World War II. While multicultural groups were setting roots before the war, military installations brought soldiers from all over the country to Orange County, changing the demographics, cultural norms, and expectations. This exhibit shares the stories of the spaces, places, and faces that transformed rural Orange County to a thriving metropolis.
Snapshots of Orange County in the 1940s: Spaces, Places, Faces exhibit was on display in Langson Library from February through October 2022. To learn more about this exhibit, visit lib.uci.edu/snapshots.