FDR's Prewar Policy of Politeness to the Nazis

Before World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave Hitler's regime the kid-glove treatment.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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This opinion piece discusses how, prior to World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration maintained cordial relations with Nazi Germany, even going so far as to publicly apologize for criticism of the regime and allowing U.S. diplomats to attend Nazi Party rallies.

Why it matters

This article sheds light on the Roosevelt administration's controversial policy of appeasement towards Nazi Germany in the years leading up to World War II, which has been a subject of historical debate and criticism.

The details

The article cites several examples of the Roosevelt administration's conciliatory approach to the Nazi regime, including apologizing after a New York City judge characterized the swastika flag as a 'flag of piracy', allowing the Nazis to evade a boycott of German goods, and permitting U.S. diplomats to attend the mass Nazi Party rally in Nuremberg in 1937.

  • In 1935, a New York City judge characterized the swastika flag as a 'flag of piracy'.
  • In 1933, Commerce Secretary Daniel Roper addressed a German-American rally in New York City where the Nazi ambassador to Washington was the featured speaker.
  • In 1934, U.S. officials pressured Jewish leaders in Chicago to cancel an anti-Hitler rally.
  • In 1937, the Roosevelt administration allowed U.S. diplomats to attend the mass Nazi Party rally in Nuremberg.

The players

Franklin D. Roosevelt

The 32nd President of the United States, who maintained a policy of cordial relations with Nazi Germany in the years leading up to World War II.

Cordell Hull

The U.S. Secretary of State who apologized to the German government in 1937 after New York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia criticized Hitler.

Fiorello La Guardia

The Mayor of New York City who criticized Hitler, prompting an apology from the U.S. government.

Daniel Roper

The U.S. Commerce Secretary who addressed a German-American rally in New York City in 1933 where the Nazi ambassador to Washington was the featured speaker.

The Nazi ambassador to Washington

The Nazi diplomat who was the featured speaker at the German-American rally in New York City in 1933.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This article highlights the controversial policy of appeasement towards Nazi Germany pursued by the Roosevelt administration in the years leading up to World War II, which has been a subject of historical debate and criticism.