DOE Lesson Plan - American History: Marianne & Jane

Worksheet: The American Response to the Holocaust

Marianne & Jane: A Pen Pals’ Story        


 

Penpals Marianne and Jane
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum


Marianne Winter from Vienna and Jane Bomberger from Pennsylvania had been pen pals for several years when the Nazis took control of Austria in 1938. Marianne’s family wanted to immigrate to the United States, but they needed an American to sponsor them financially. Marianne asked Jane if she knew anyone who could provide the financial support. Jane’s response came as a total surprise.

Graphic of Marianne and Jane for link below

           View this story.


QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  • Where did Marianne Winter live? When did she begin to experience challenges to her safety and life? What were those changes?
  • Using the Holocaust Chronology or Timeline, what else was happening that affected her?
  • Who were the American helpers in this story? What did the Winter family need from them?
  • What challenges did they face?
  • Were they successful? Why or why not?
  • What did you learn about the Holocaust from this story? What did you learn about the American response?

READ: What did Refugees Need to Obtain a US Visa in the 1930s? 


REVIEW

  • What were the 7 steps required to obtain a US Visa?
  • What were difficulties people might face in obtaining the documents required for a US Visa?
  • What was happening in the United States in the 1930s that would make it very difficult to find a financial sponsor?
  • What were the obstacles to getting a ship ticket?
  • How many quota spots were available in 1938? Go back to the first step. What number is on the document for the waiting list? What does that tell you about chances for immigration in 1938?
Chart showing numbers of Germans who were on waiting list to receive visas to leave the country

 

ARTIFACT STUDY

Document From Anthony Acevedo's Collection

Artifact: Winter Family Immigration Documents

These documents are from 1938 – 1939.

These documents are written in German.

View the documents and papers from the Winter family.


 

 

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

  • What do you note is added to almost every immigration document in the collection?
  • Based on the 7 steps needed to obtain a US Visa, what documents appear to be included in this collection?
  • What challenges do you think the Winter family confronted in their efforts to get these documents?
  • What did the Winter family have to give up coming to the United States?
  • What risks did the Bomberger family face in order to bring the Winter Family to Pennsylvania?