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
What is the most likely reason the St. Louis did not return to Hamburg?
- A. The start of World War II made it too dangerous to travel that far.
- B. Most of the passengers were originally from Belgium, not Germany.
- C. The ship did not have enough fuel after being at sea for so long.
- D. The passengers could have ended up being sent to concentration camps.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The most compelling reason the St. Louis did not return to Hamburg is that the passengers faced the real threat of being sent to concentration camps. As the political climate in Europe shifted dramatically during this period, returning them to Germany would have put their lives in jeopardy. Option A, while recognizing the dangers of wartime travel, does not specifically address the immediate threat to the passengers' safety. Option B is inaccurate; the origin of most passengers does not influence the ship's decision to return. Option C is also incorrect; fuel levels would not have been a primary concern compared to the safety of the passengers.
The most compelling reason the St. Louis did not return to Hamburg is that the passengers faced the real threat of being sent to concentration camps. As the political climate in Europe shifted dramatically during this period, returning them to Germany would have put their lives in jeopardy. Option A, while recognizing the dangers of wartime travel, does not specifically address the immediate threat to the passengers' safety. Option B is inaccurate; the origin of most passengers does not influence the ship's decision to return. Option C is also incorrect; fuel levels would not have been a primary concern compared to the safety of the passengers.
Other Related Questions
The following is a list of events in Taylor's life. I. President of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers II. Employed by Midvale Steel Company III. Published 'The Principles of Scientific Management' IV. Received a gold medal from the Paris Exposition Place these events in chronological order, from earliest to latest.
- A. I, II, III, IV
- B. II, IV, I, III
- C. III, I, IV, II
- D. IV, III, II, I
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The sequence begins with Taylor’s employment at Midvale Steel Company (II), where he developed his principles of efficiency. Next, he received a gold medal from the Paris Exposition (IV), recognizing his contributions to management. Following this, he became the President of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (I), highlighting his leadership in the field. Lastly, he published 'The Principles of Scientific Management' (III), which solidified his theories and their impact on management practices. Option A misplaces the publication of his influential work. Option C incorrectly orders the events, placing the publication before his leadership role. Option D also disrupts the correct sequence by placing the gold medal before his employment.
The sequence begins with Taylor’s employment at Midvale Steel Company (II), where he developed his principles of efficiency. Next, he received a gold medal from the Paris Exposition (IV), recognizing his contributions to management. Following this, he became the President of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (I), highlighting his leadership in the field. Lastly, he published 'The Principles of Scientific Management' (III), which solidified his theories and their impact on management practices. Option A misplaces the publication of his influential work. Option C incorrectly orders the events, placing the publication before his leadership role. Option D also disrupts the correct sequence by placing the gold medal before his employment.
Before leaving Germany, where did most of the passengers intend to resettle?
- A. Cuba
- B. Great Britain
- C. France
- D. United States
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Most passengers intended to resettle in the United States due to its reputation as a land of opportunity and refuge for immigrants. The U.S. offered economic prospects and a chance for a fresh start, making it a primary destination for those leaving Germany. Option A, Cuba, was less appealing as it did not have the same level of immigration support or opportunities. Option B, Great Britain, while historically significant, was less favored due to its stringent immigration policies at the time. Option C, France, although attractive, did not match the U.S. in terms of the number of immigrants seeking a new life.
Most passengers intended to resettle in the United States due to its reputation as a land of opportunity and refuge for immigrants. The U.S. offered economic prospects and a chance for a fresh start, making it a primary destination for those leaving Germany. Option A, Cuba, was less appealing as it did not have the same level of immigration support or opportunities. Option B, Great Britain, while historically significant, was less favored due to its stringent immigration policies at the time. Option C, France, although attractive, did not match the U.S. in terms of the number of immigrants seeking a new life.
What is the effect of a debit on a person's checking account?
- A. The account's balance increases.
- B. The account's balance decreases.
- C. The account's interest rate increases.
- D. The account's interest rate decreases.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
A debit reduces the available funds in a checking account, leading to a decrease in the account's balance. Therefore, option B accurately reflects this effect. Option A is incorrect since a debit cannot increase the balance; it signifies money being spent or withdrawn. Options C and D relate to interest rates, which are unaffected by debit transactions in a checking account. Interest rates typically depend on the account type and bank policies, not on individual transactions like debits. Hence, they do not apply to the effect of a debit on the account balance.
A debit reduces the available funds in a checking account, leading to a decrease in the account's balance. Therefore, option B accurately reflects this effect. Option A is incorrect since a debit cannot increase the balance; it signifies money being spent or withdrawn. Options C and D relate to interest rates, which are unaffected by debit transactions in a checking account. Interest rates typically depend on the account type and bank policies, not on individual transactions like debits. Hence, they do not apply to the effect of a debit on the account balance.
A police department allows a person suspected of committing a crime to refuse to answer questions asked by the investigating officer. Which amendment protects this right?
- A. Amendment 1
- B. Amendment 4
- C. Amendment 5
- D. Amendment 6
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The Fifth Amendment protects individuals from self-incrimination, allowing a person suspected of a crime to refuse to answer questions posed by law enforcement. This right ensures that individuals cannot be compelled to provide testimony that could implicate them in a crime. Option A, the First Amendment, pertains to freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition, but does not address self-incrimination. Option B, the Fourth Amendment, protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, but does not relate to questioning. Option D, the Sixth Amendment, guarantees rights related to criminal prosecutions, such as the right to counsel and a fair trial, but does not specifically cover the right to remain silent during questioning.
The Fifth Amendment protects individuals from self-incrimination, allowing a person suspected of a crime to refuse to answer questions posed by law enforcement. This right ensures that individuals cannot be compelled to provide testimony that could implicate them in a crime. Option A, the First Amendment, pertains to freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition, but does not address self-incrimination. Option B, the Fourth Amendment, protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, but does not relate to questioning. Option D, the Sixth Amendment, guarantees rights related to criminal prosecutions, such as the right to counsel and a fair trial, but does not specifically cover the right to remain silent during questioning.