The anti-Nazi Boycott of March 24th, 1933

People often wonder what life was like in the 30s in terms of observing totalitarian parties rise to power. Were societies misinformed, or maybe unaware of the impending doom? Of course not. In response to abuse and harassment against Jews committed by the Nazis, an international boycott of German products was organized starting from March 24th, 1933, pursuant to Hitler being appointed the Chancellor of Germany on January 30th of the same year. What is interesting, some Jewish organizations supported the boycott, while some opposed it.

The boycott started in both Europe and the US and finished when the US entered the war on December 7th, 1941. The largest “Boycott Nazi Germany” rally took place in Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 15th, 1937.

Clearly, the Nazis interpreted the boycott as an act of aggression which was presented to the nation by Joseph Goebbels, the sharp and efficient Propaganda Minister. He himself declared that severe repercussions will take place against the Jews of Germany as a result of actions taken by American Jews. Sadly, the outcome of the boycott was utterly different than anticipated as it actually became the prelude to mass extermination of Jewish people during the Holocaust.