Kristallnacht: Telegram from U.S. Ambassador to Germany to U.S. Secretary of State Regarding Fine Levied on Jewish Community Following Kristallnacht
(November 14, 1938)
Following the international outrage directed at the Nazi regime for its actions on Kristallnacht, Hitler decided that, since Jews were to blame for these events, they be held legally and financially responsible for the damages incurred by the pogroms. Accordingly, a fine of 1 billion marks was levied for the slaying of Vom Rath and 6 million marks paid by insurance companies for broken windows was to be given to the state coffers.
The following telegram, sent from U.S. Ambassador to Germany Hugh Wilson to U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull on November 14, 1938, describes this "punishment" on the Jewish community:
click on telegram to enlarge
Sources: U.S. Department of State
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