The St. Louis
This passage describes the journey of the ship St. Louis, which attempted to leave Germany with immigrants wishing to escape Nazi rule.
1 in January, 1933, Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany. The country's first concentration camp opened two months later, to be followed by many more. They were originally built to house "enemies of the state" that threatened Nazi political control or were accused of socially deviant behavior. But when side-scale arrests of Jewish German and Austrian citizens began after Germany's annexation of Austria in 1938, many of these individuals were sent to the camps. A growing number of Germany's Jewish population, fearful of increasing anti-Semitism, left or tried to eave Germany.
2. A few months before the start of World War II, the ship St. Louis left Hamburg, Germany, with 937 passengers, mostly Jewish refugees. Headed to Havana, Cuba, they were unaware that Cuba's president had invalidated all recently issued landing certificates. He claimed certificates had been sold by a corrupt government official. Although most of the St. Louis passengers had applied for U.S. visas and planned to be in Cuba only temporarily, they now faced an uncertain future.
3 When the ship arrived in Havana, the Cuban government refused to allow 908 of the passengers to leave the ship. After six days the ship was ordered to leave Cuba. It began a slow, 4 day journey along the Cuba and Florida coasts, the passengers hoping they would be permitted to enter the United States. Direct appeals were made to President Roosevelt, but he and State Department officials decided to not take any special exceptions for the passengers. Immigration at the time was strictly limited by quotas established in the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act of 1924. The German-Austrian immigration limit of 27,370 for 1939 had been quickly filled.
4 The St. Louis headed back to Europe but not to Germany. Jewish organizations
Why were most of the passengers denied permission to enter Cuba?
- A. Cuba had already accepted all the refugees it could for that year.
- B. Cuba and Germany did not have diplomatic relations at that time.
- C. Cuba's president claimed their documents had been obtained illegally.
- D. It was feared that admitting them would create tension with Germany.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Most passengers were denied entry because Cuba's president claimed their documents had been obtained illegally. This assertion directly impacted the legitimacy of their entry, making it a crucial reason for their denial. Option A is incorrect as it implies a quota issue rather than a legal matter. Option B is misleading; while diplomatic relations may affect policies, they were not the primary reason for the denial in this context. Option D suggests geopolitical concerns, but the immediate issue was the legality of the passengers’ documentation, which was the decisive factor in their rejection.
Most passengers were denied entry because Cuba's president claimed their documents had been obtained illegally. This assertion directly impacted the legitimacy of their entry, making it a crucial reason for their denial. Option A is incorrect as it implies a quota issue rather than a legal matter. Option B is misleading; while diplomatic relations may affect policies, they were not the primary reason for the denial in this context. Option D suggests geopolitical concerns, but the immediate issue was the legality of the passengers’ documentation, which was the decisive factor in their rejection.
Other Related Questions
What precedent was set by George Washington and maintained until the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt?
- A. Leaving economic policy decision-making to Congress
- B. Letting party officials pick the vice president candidate
- C. Serving no more than two terms as president
- D. Refusing to be directly involved in treaty negotiations
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
George Washington established the tradition of serving no more than two terms as president, setting a standard for future leaders that emphasized the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and discouraging the concentration of authority. This precedent was respected until Franklin D. Roosevelt's four-term presidency, which ultimately led to the 22nd Amendment. Option A is incorrect; while Congress plays a significant role in economic policy, Washington's precedent focused on presidential term limits. Option B is misleading, as party officials did not formally select vice presidential candidates until later. Option D is inaccurate; Washington engaged in treaty negotiations, illustrating presidential involvement in foreign affairs.
George Washington established the tradition of serving no more than two terms as president, setting a standard for future leaders that emphasized the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and discouraging the concentration of authority. This precedent was respected until Franklin D. Roosevelt's four-term presidency, which ultimately led to the 22nd Amendment. Option A is incorrect; while Congress plays a significant role in economic policy, Washington's precedent focused on presidential term limits. Option B is misleading, as party officials did not formally select vice presidential candidates until later. Option D is inaccurate; Washington engaged in treaty negotiations, illustrating presidential involvement in foreign affairs.
The government permits a group of people to protest in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Which amendment protects this action?
- A. Amendment 1
- B. Amendment 4
- C. Amendment 5
- D. Amendment 10
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
The First Amendment protects the right to free speech, assembly, and the right to petition the government, which includes the act of protesting. This foundational freedom allows individuals to express their views publicly, especially in front of significant government buildings like the U.S. Capitol. Amendment 4 focuses on protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, which does not pertain to protest rights. Amendment 5 addresses rights related to legal proceedings, such as self-incrimination and due process, while Amendment 10 reserves powers to the states and the people, neither of which directly relates to the act of protesting.
The First Amendment protects the right to free speech, assembly, and the right to petition the government, which includes the act of protesting. This foundational freedom allows individuals to express their views publicly, especially in front of significant government buildings like the U.S. Capitol. Amendment 4 focuses on protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, which does not pertain to protest rights. Amendment 5 addresses rights related to legal proceedings, such as self-incrimination and due process, while Amendment 10 reserves powers to the states and the people, neither of which directly relates to the act of protesting.
During the Civil War, which Confederate state had some of its citizens oppose secession and organize their own state, which eventually joined the Union?
- A. Arkansas
- B. Tennessee
- C. Texas
- D. Virginia
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
During the Civil War, Virginia experienced significant internal conflict over secession. A portion of its citizens opposed joining the Confederacy, leading to the formation of West Virginia. This new state, created in 1863, ultimately joined the Union. In contrast, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas remained firmly aligned with the Confederacy throughout the war, with no significant movements to create separate states that joined the Union. Arkansas and Tennessee had divisions in loyalty, but they did not result in the establishment of a new state like West Virginia. Virginia's unique situation highlights the complexities of loyalty during the Civil War.
During the Civil War, Virginia experienced significant internal conflict over secession. A portion of its citizens opposed joining the Confederacy, leading to the formation of West Virginia. This new state, created in 1863, ultimately joined the Union. In contrast, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas remained firmly aligned with the Confederacy throughout the war, with no significant movements to create separate states that joined the Union. Arkansas and Tennessee had divisions in loyalty, but they did not result in the establishment of a new state like West Virginia. Virginia's unique situation highlights the complexities of loyalty during the Civil War.
Based on the obituary, what was one result business owners could expect if they put into place Taylor's doctrines?
- A. Loyal employees
- B. Increased outputs
- C. Managers doing more work
- D. Laborers becoming company presidents
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Implementing Taylor's doctrines, which emphasize scientific management and efficiency, would likely lead to increased outputs. These principles focus on optimizing work processes and enhancing productivity, resulting in higher production levels. Option A, loyal employees, is not a direct outcome of Taylorism; while efficiency may improve morale, loyalty is not guaranteed. Option C, managers doing more work, contradicts Taylor's aim of defining roles clearly to enhance efficiency. Option D, laborers becoming company presidents, is unrealistic within the framework of Taylor's doctrines, which prioritize specialization rather than promoting laborers to managerial positions.
Implementing Taylor's doctrines, which emphasize scientific management and efficiency, would likely lead to increased outputs. These principles focus on optimizing work processes and enhancing productivity, resulting in higher production levels. Option A, loyal employees, is not a direct outcome of Taylorism; while efficiency may improve morale, loyalty is not guaranteed. Option C, managers doing more work, contradicts Taylor's aim of defining roles clearly to enhance efficiency. Option D, laborers becoming company presidents, is unrealistic within the framework of Taylor's doctrines, which prioritize specialization rather than promoting laborers to managerial positions.