Why Didn’t More Jews Escape Nazi Germany? The MS St. Louis, Kindertransport, and the Harsh Realities of Emigration

Why Didn’t More Jews Escape Nazi Germany?

One of the most common and heartbreaking questions about the Holocaust is: Why didn’t more Jews leave Germany before the worst happened? The answer is complex and tragic, involving restrictive immigration policies worldwide, high costs and legal barriers, and deep emotional ties.

The story of the MS St. Louis—a ship carrying over 900 Jewish refugees turned away by Cuba, the United States, and Canada in 1939—highlights these challenges vividly. Alongside the more hopeful but limited rescue efforts like the Kindertransport, these stories reveal why so many Berlin Jews and others remained trapped.

Borders Closed to Jewish Refugees

By the late 1930s, antisemitism was rising globally, and many countries hardened their immigration policies. Even as Jews faced escalating persecution in Berlin and across Nazi Germany, few places welcomed them with open arms.

The MS St. Louis, sailing from Hamburg in 1939, carried mostly German Jewish refugees seeking safety. But Cuba revoked their landing permits upon arrival. The United States and Canada, citing strict immigration quotas and political resistance, refused entry. The ship was forced to return to Europe, consigning many passengers to the horrors of the Holocaust.

The High Cost and Legal Hurdles of Emigration

Leaving Nazi Germany was not simply a matter of buying a ticket. Jewish families faced enormous financial and bureaucratic obstacles:

• Costly exit taxes and fees imposed by the Nazi government stripped emigrants of wealth.

• Visa applications were complex and often impossible to obtain due to quotas or political opposition abroad.

• Property confiscations and the loss of livelihood made relocation even harder.

• Germany increasingly restricted Jewish emigration, viewing it with suspicion or using it as a way to extract wealth.

  
  

False Hopes and Emotional Bonds Kept Many in Berlin

Despite worsening persecution, many Jews in Berlin believed they could endure or wait out the crisis. Some were WWI veterans, hoping their service would shield them. Others struggled to imagine the full scale of Nazi brutality or were deeply connected to their homes, careers, and communities.

This hope, combined with practical difficulties, prevented many from fleeing until it was tragically too late.

Kindertransport: A Ray of Hope Amid Despair

Between 1938 and 1940, the Kindertransport rescued around 10,000 mostly Jewish children from Nazi territories, including Berlin, by bringing them to safety in Britain. While this operation saved many young lives, it was a limited effort that separated children from their families and left many adults behind.

The Kindertransport stands as a powerful symbol of rescue and loss during this dark time.

Why This History Matters on Berlin Tours Today

When you explore Berlin’s Jewish history on our guided tours, you learn about more than just the persecution and suffering inside Germany. You uncover the global political climate and the desperate struggles to escape. Understanding these broader contexts deepens appreciation for the resilience of Berlin’s Jewish community and the tragedies they endured.

Join Our Berlin WWII and Jewish History Tours

Discover the complex history behind the Holocaust with expert guides who bring these stories to life. From local sites of memory to international connections, our tours provide a full picture of Berlin’s past—and the lessons that remain vital today.