The Third Reich in the Ivory Tower

ThisisthefirstsystematicexplorationofthenatureandextentofsympathyforNaziGermanyatAmericanuniversitiesduringthe1930s.Universitieswerehighlyinfluentialinshapingpublicopinionandmanyofthenation'smostprominentuniversityadministratorsrefusedtotakeaprincipledstandagainsttheHitlerregime.UniversitieswelcomedNaziofficialstocampusandparticipatedenthusiasticallyinstudentexchangeprogramswithNazifieduniversitiesinGermany.AmericaneducatorshelpedNaziGermanyimproveitsimageintheWestasitintensifieditspersecutionoftheJewsandstrengtheneditsarmedforces.ThestudycontraststhesignificantAmericangrassrootsprotestagainstNazismthatemergedassoonasHitlerassumedpowerwithcampusquiescenceandadministrators'frequentlyharshtreatmentofthosestudentsandprofessorswhochallengedtheirdeterminationtomaintainfriendlyrelationswithNaziGermany.