The Los Angeles we know today took shape during World War II, which one historian described as the most significant event ever to occur to Los Angeles. The massive influx of war industries brought a population boom and a diversification of our community. African-Americans and Latinos came here for work, joining whites from the South and Midwest. The aircraft plants provided jobs, higher wages, and more open hiring, including women workers. Civil defense included blackout precautions and defensive armaments against enemy air raids or invasion. At Hollywood Canteen, servicemen mingled with movie stars: dancing with Betty Grable, having a sandwich served by Shirley Temple.
Under the surface, however, dangerous social conflicts were developing. Anti-Semitism was still a powerful force in Los Angeles, as restrictive covenants and redlining limited areas where Jews could live. Far worse, though, was an awareness of the Nazi persecution of European Jews and the very real local activities of Nazi sympathizers and German agents here. Since the mid-1930s, pro-Hitler groups had held rallies in locations such as Hindenburg Park in La Crescenta, Patriotic Hall downtown, and the Pan-Pacific Auditorium. Sympathizers bought a 50-acre compound in Rustic Canyon, above Pacific Palisades, for use by eventual Nazi leaders. In opposition, Jews and Gentile allies organized to block Nazi influence in Los Angeles and became aware of Nazi death plots against prominent actors such as Charlie Chaplin, Paul Muni and Eddie Cantor and studio executives such as Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg. Along with these assassinations, Nazi hate group members planned massacres such as driving through Boyle Heights to shoot Jews on the street.
This SDG will analyze the wartime social changes in Los Angeles and aim a special focus on the mostly amateur undercover espionage conducted by citizens on pro-Nazi and American fascist groups. This struggle is detailed in Hitler in Los Angeles: How Jews Foiled Nazi Plots Against Hollywood and America, by USC Professor Steven J. Ross. The book was a finalist for the National Book Award in Nonfiction and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. The other core book is Paradise Transformed: Los Angeles During the Second World War by another history professor, Arthur C. Verge.
Examples of broader SDG Questions. Among the broader insights that can be drawn from this historical period are these questions:
1. Did wartime create a feeling of unity and solidarity across citizens, brought together by a common purpose?
2. When and why do ordinary people take risks and get involved in public events, as did the citizens who conducted the undercover espionage against pro-Nazi groups in Los Angeles?
3. Which institutions and buildings are still part of our lives today after being important in the war? What is the continuity to our time? Which are commemorated and which locations and events have been forgotten?
4. Did the war arouse emotional excitement manifested as anxiety, suspiciousness of others, and "war jitters", but also intense pursuit of distracting entertainment and "live for today" romantic opportunities?
Weekly topics and conversations can be based on the chapter in the core readings, along with any related topics that provide background for the chapter. The sample questions listed here are for helpful guidance, identifying some of the topics covered in the chapter, for purposes of this SDG description.
Week One. Creating a Spy Network in Los Angeles. Core reading: “Creating a Spy Network, 1933-1934,” pages 1 – 64 in Hitler in Los Angeles. Suggested background topics and questions: What were the warnings about a rising Nazi threat? Why did L.A. interest the Nazis? Where was the L.A. Jewish community and why was there anti-Semitism? Who were the American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League, Communist Party, Silver Shirts, German-American Alliance, American Legion? What were the early actions against the Nazi threat by Congress, the FBI, and Pres. Roosevelt?
Week Two. Nazi and Fascist Attack on Hollywood. Core reading: “The Nazi and Fascist Attack on Hollywood 1933-1935,” pages 67 – 129 in Hitler in Los Angeles. Suggested background topics: Who were the Hollywood motion picture moguls and how active were they in combatting the Nazi threat? What was the Nazi interest in Hollywood films? Who was German Consul Gyssling and what role did he play in Hollywood movie-making? How did the House Unamerican Activities Committee become involved? Who was Rabbi Magnin and what happened at the Hillcrest Country Club?
Week Three. New Threats, New Spies, Part One. Core reading: “New Threats, New Spies, 1935-1939,” pages 133 – 197 in Hitler in Los Angeles. (First of two sessions on this section). How was anti-Semitism expressed in this conflict? Who were the Friends of New Germany, the American National party, and the Hollywood Anti-Nazi League? Which German-Americans opposed the Nazis? How were pro-Nazi efforts abetted by U.S.C. and by activities in Mexico? Who was William Dudley Pelley? Where was “Deutsches Haus”? How were Hollywood actors divided politically in attitudes toward the Nazis?
Week Four. New Threats, New Spies, Part Two. Core reading: “New Threats, New Spies, 1935-1939,” pages 198-259 in Hitler in Los Angeles. (Second session on this section). How was the District Attorney’s office involved? Which famous actor’s brother was a dangerous Nazi sympathizer? Who were the German-American Bund, the White Russians, Leslie Fry, and Phillip Chancellor? Is it fair to describe the U.S. State Department as anti-Semitic? How did Los Angelenos react to Kristallnacht in Germany and to the influx of Jewish immigrants here? How pervasive was espionage by Germany and by Japan in Los Angeles and the U.S. broadly?
Week Five. Espionage, Sabotage, and War Come to Los Angeles. Core reading: “Espionage, Sabotage, and the Coming of War, 1938 – 1941” pages 263 – 340 in Hitler in America. What was important about the movie, “Confessions of a Nazi Spy”? What was the “America First” movement? How did the war intensify hostility in the U.S. at Jews and at President Roosevelt? What were the main enemy sabotage targets in Los Angeles? How did Angelenos react to Pearl Harbor? Why and where were enemy aliens interned or interviewed? What was the eventual fate of the main figures in this struggle of amateur infiltrators against Nazi supporters?
Week Six. Los Angeles War Preparedness. Core reading: Chapter 1 “Los Angeles on the Eve of War” in Paradise Transformed. How did L.A. compare to other major U.S. cities in population, industries, transportation? How had the Great Depression affected L.A.? What defense bases and ports were in our region? How efficient and honest were the L.A. government and police department? What were the main residential areas and which regions were still undeveloped or agricultural?
Week Seven. Defending Los Angeles. Core reading: Chapter 2, “The Defense of Los Angeles” in Paradise Transformed. Was L.A. well prepared for Civil Defense? After Pearl Harbor, did the public fear air raids? Were there air raid shelters, wardens, and blackouts? What was the 1942 “Battle of Los Angeles?” Was any shipping attacked by the Japanese? Was rationing imposed and were there restrictions on entertainment?
Week Eight. Segregation and Discrimination. Core reading: Chapter 3, “Democracy Abroad – Segregation at Home” in Paradise Transformed. How was Los Angeles segregated by race and ethnicity? What were restrictive covenants and redlining? Where were the African-American, Japanese, Mexican, Chinese, and Jewish neighborhoods? Why were Japanese-Americans interned and who then moved into Little Tokyo? What were the Zoot Suit Riots? What was the Murder at Sleepy Lagoon? How did the war bring migration of new groups to Los Angeles?
Week Nine. Daily Life in Wartime L.A.. Core reading: Chapter 4, “Don’t You Know There’s a War Going On?” in Paradise Transformed. How did Angelenos adjust to wartime restrictions, censorship, changes in sports, and especially the presence of troops? What was “Hollywood Canteen?” Did the higher social classes sacrifice privileges? Who were local war heroes? How were driving and parking affected by war?
Week Ten. Arsenal of Democracy. Core reading: Chapter 5, “An Arsenal of Democracy” in Paradise Transformed. What were the main aircraft and other defense plants? What limits were placed on unions, strikes, and absenteeism? How were women employed? Where was shipbuilding centered? What precautions were taken against air raids, sabotage, and espionage? How did RAND Corporation and JPL develop? What famous general practiced tank warfare in the nearby desert?
Week Eleven. Urban Expansion. Core reading: Chapter 6, “Perils of Rapid Wartime Growth” in Paradise Transformed. Where did the influx of new workers find housing? What residential developments were begun? How did L.A. mitigate traffic congestion? What effect did the war have on crime rates? How was public health affected by wartime conditions? Did L.A. have a centralized downtown or multiple centers like today?
Week Twelve. Culture and Entertainment. Core reading: Chapter 7, “Culture in Wartime Los Angeles” in Paradise Transformed. How did the motion picture industry change from its pre-war stance about controversial movies? How was L.A. nightlife affected by throngs of service personnel and civilians seeking distraction and fun? Who were the European emigres who brought their literature, music, and film-making to L.A? What was “Weimar on the Pacific?” What famous U.S. writers came to Hollywood to write scripts? How did Disney Studios contribute to the war effort?
Week Thirteen. Victory and Return to Peace. Core reading: Chapter 8, “Epilogue” in Paradise Transformed. How did L.A. celebrate victory in Europe and then in the Pacific? How many soldiers stayed here or returned here with their families? What were effects of federal investments and the G.I. Bill on L.A? What wartime industries adapted in peacetime and continue here today? How were racial-ethnic segregation and discrimination affected by the war?
Week Fourteen. SDG Insights and Special Topics. Some worthy topics are not given much attention in the core books. What were the contributions and costs for local colleges and universities in wartime? How did the Times, Examiner, Daily News and other newspapers cover the war? What were effects of L.A. radio stations? How did the war affect development of San Fernando Valley, of the Westside, San Gabriel Valley neighborhoods? What social class residential patterns persisted or developed?
Core Books
Ross, Steven J. 2017. Hitler in Los Angeles: How Jews Foiled Nazi Plots Against Hollywood and America. New York: Bloomsbury. 344 pp. (available at Amazon for $15 (new, paperback), cheaper as used, $10 as Kindle, and new in some bookstores.)
Verge, Arthur. 1993. Paradise Transformed. Los Angeles During the Second World War. Dubuque, IA: Kendall-Hunt. 177 pp. (out-of-print but Amazon currently lists many used paperback copies, more may be in used bookstores, and the L.A. Public Library has several copies that it will deliver to your local branch).
Readings will be about 50-60 pages per week.
Recommended Reading The books and videos below are resources for conversations on specific topics in the core readings and also serve to illustrate the range of knowledge available for this SDG.
"A Look Back at World War Two." https://magazine.pomona.edu/pomoniana/2014/11/11/a-look-back-at-world-war-ii/ How Pomona College helped its Japanese-American students at risk of being sent to internment camps.
"Best Places to Explore the Hidden World War Two History of SoCal." https://www.kcet.org/shows/socal-wanderer/best-places-to-explore-the-hidden-wwii-history-of-socal KCET webpage.
Boissenault, Lorraie. 2018. "The Great Los Angeles Air Raid Terrified Citizens -- Even Though No Bombs Were Dropped." Smithsonian.com online, Jan. 19, 2018. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/great-los-angeles-air-raid-terrified-citizenseven-though-no-bombs-were-dropped-180967890/
"Commandos and Anti-Aircraft Guns: Catalina's Top-Secret World War II History." KCET. https://www.kcet.org/lost-la/commandos-and-anti-aircraft-guns-catalinas-top-secret-wwii-history
Doherty, Thomas. Hollywood and Hitler: 1933 - 1939. New York: Columbia University Press.
"During World War Two, Thousands of Women Chased Their Own California Dream." https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/during-world-war-ii-thousands-women-chased-their-own-california-dream-180967357/ On women aircraft and factory workers.
Fear, Jeffrey and Paul Lerner, 2016. "Behind the Scenes: Immigrants, emigres, and exiles in mid 20th Century Los Angeles." Jewish Culture and History vol 17, issue 1-2. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1462169X.2016.1190496
"German Exiles in Southern California: A Castle by the Sea, Goethe in Hollywood, and L.A. as Hell." 2011. https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/german-exiles-in-southern-california-a-castle-by-the-sea-goethe-in-hollywood-and-la-as
"Hollywood Hospitality at the Hollywood Canteen. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/hollywood-hospitality-hollywood-canteen Webpage from National WW2 Museum, New Orleans.
"Home Front - California State Archives. Google Arts and Culture. https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/home-front-california-state-archives/FQISpwnUy6rKKg?hl=en Many documents, esp. about internment of Japanese Americans and a newsletter from one of their camps.
"In Our Own Backyard: Resisting Nazi Propaganda in Southern California 1933-1945." https://digital-library.csun.edu/in-our-own-backyard/historical-context Major exhibit at CSUNorthridge Oviatt Library. Steven Ross got the idea for his book from this exhibit of propaganda materials.
"Japanese Internment: Behind the Barbed Wire in America." https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/2019/01/21/japanese-internment-behind-the-barbed-wire-in-america/
"Japanese Submarines Prowl the U.S. Pacific Coastline in 1941." https://www.historynet.com/japanese-submarines-prowl-the-us-pacific-coastline-in-1941.htm
"Los Angeles Metropolitan Area During World War Two." http://www.militarymuseum.org/LAWWII.html
"Region Changed Forever - S. California in World War II - Sleeping Giant Awakens." https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-09-01-mn-1469-story.html Los Angeles Times, Sept. 1, 1989.
"Southern California WWII Aircraft Manufacturing." Los Angeles Times,, July 30, 2018. https://www.latimes.com/visuals/photography/la-me-fw-archives-southern-california-world-war-ii-aircraft-manufacturing-20180730-htmlstory.html
Sword, Terenz. 2010. The Battle of Los Angeles. Inner Light Publications and Global Communications.
"The World War Two Dead of UCLA." https://www.ww2research.com/world-war-2-dead-ucla/
"UCLA Goes to War." http://magazine.ucla.edu/depts/hailhills/ucla-goes-to-war/
Urwand, Ben. 2013. The Collaboration: Hollywood's Pact With Hitler. Harvard University Press.
Wallach, Ruth et al., 2011. Los Angeles in World War Two. Arcadia Publishing: South Carolina.
"War Comes to Santa Monica." https://patch.com/california/santamonica/bp--war-comes-to-santa-monica-2
Youtube Videos:
"American Nazi: Rare Footage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMTnXM0LwB0 1930s-40s film of German-American Bund Nazi rallies at Hindenburg Park, La Crescenta. 2 min., 13 sec.
"Author Ben Urwand Talks 'Hollywood's Pact with Hitler'". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNtXbC78K-Q How closely did Hollywood Studio Heads Cooperate with the Nazis? Author of "Collaboration" speaks out. Different content than other video on his book. 6 min, 26 sec.
"Ben Urwand" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZoAJjhlNwA Author of Collaboration: Hollywood's pact with Hitler gives 2 hr. 18 min. discussion of his controversial work.
"Hitler in Los Angeles: How Jews and Their Spies Foiled Nazi Plots Against Hollywood and America" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Icb6CWnyqS4 USC Professor Steven J. Ross, author of our SDG core book, explains his research at Tel Aviv University. 1 hr. 33 min.
"Hitler in Los Angeles: The Untold True Story" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkijPf8JlKQ USC Professor Steven J. Ross, author of our SDG core book, explains his research at USC. 2 min, 49 sec.
How Anti-Mexican Racism in L.A. Caused the Zoot Suit Riots." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxtThBTf0sI 4 min. 48 sec.
"Nazi Compound in L.A.: What Remains of Murphy Ranch" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTL5oaqzrKI 4 min., 7 sec.
The Nazi Rally in Madison Square Garden. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gU9op16rjQ Film of Nazi speeches by Bund leaders amidst American symbols. 2 min., 53 sec.
"Santa Monica and the Douglas Aircraft Company." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCiCvglDGps
"Then They Came for Me: Incarceration of Japanese-Americans During WW2" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBzy5Od6LOE History illustrated by Dorothea Lange photographs from the time. 2 min. 48 sec.
WWII - USA Homefront: German Agents. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMTnXM0LwB0 Wartime U.S. government film about German espionage, narrated by J. Edgar Hoover. 9 min., 25 sec.
"World War Two in Beverly Hills." http://www.beverlyhillshistoricalsociety.org/video-collection On website of Beverly Hills Historical Society (not Youtube).