A Hero's Welcome: Einstein's 1921 US Visit and Its Fallout
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Chapter 1: The Arrival of a Legend
On April 3, 1921, the Rotterdam arrived at New York Harbor, greeted by a throng of enthusiastic New Yorkers eager to meet the renowned physicist, Albert Einstein. This marked his inaugural visit to the United States, an event long anticipated by his American supporters. The mayor welcomed him at City Hall, and the auditorium of Columbia University, where he was scheduled to deliver a lecture on the theory of relativity, was filled to capacity, primarily with Jewish attendees.
International Support for the 'Celebrity Scientist'
Albert Einstein's trip was part of a fundraising initiative for a new Hebrew University in Jerusalem. It also presented him with a chance to share his groundbreaking ideas at a leading academic institution. This tour helped cement his status as a celebrity within the English-speaking world.
Upon his arrival, thousands of fans waved handkerchiefs in excitement, while photographers captured the moment with their flashing cameras. Einstein had just achieved fame the previous year by demonstrating the sun's deflection of starlight, a pivotal verification of his theory of relativity that sent ripples through the scientific community. His unique personality, characterized by his wild hair and love for music, intrigued many. Trevor Lipscombe from the Catholic University of America Press noted how his eccentricities captured public interest.
Despite being a non-practicing Jew and identifying as a non-Zionist, Einstein was dedicated to the cause of Hebrew University due to his concerns over escalating anti-Semitic violence in Europe. Ze'ev Rosenkranz, from the California Institute of Technology, remarked that the organizers believed Einstein’s non-Zionist stance could attract further support from similar individuals. His presence signified a recognition of Jewish intellectual capability, inspiring many American Jews.
Chapter 2: Divergent Views on Zionism
Einstein's two-month tour included visits to several northeastern cities, organized by Chaim Weizmann, who aimed to incorporate banquets, receptions, and fundraising events. While both collaborated on the tour, their views on Zionism diverged greatly. Einstein was staunchly against nationalism, which he believed contributed to global warfare, and opposed the notion of a Jewish state characterized by borders and military power, regardless of how minimal.
He believed in the coexistence of Jews and Arabs in Palestine, expressing concerns that Jewish nationalism could lead to hostility. In correspondence with a colleague, he articulated his preference for internationalism, voicing his opposition to Jewish statehood on Arab land. However, witnessing the persecution of Jews in Eastern Europe led him to adopt a more sympathetic view towards the cause, recognizing the severe anti-Semitism in Germany.
According to Kormos-Buchwald, Einstein was a cultural Zionist, advocating for a space where Jews could study without facing discrimination.
Section 2.1: Personal and Political Motivations
While the primary goal of his visit was to support Hebrew University, Einstein had personal motivations as well. At that time, he was a professor in Berlin, and even though the rise of Nazism was still a decade away, German Jews were facing persecution from far-right groups. Although his fame offered him some protection, he was still targeted due to his pacifist beliefs and anti-war stance.
Einstein also sought financial stability after a tumultuous period in his personal life, believing that America could provide him with lucrative speaking engagements. Steven Gimbel from Gettysburg College noted that he could receive payment in stable currency, which would support his family.
Section 2.2: The Mixed Reception
During his time in the U.S., Einstein delivered all his lectures in German, leading to confusion among many attendees, especially given the complexity of topics like relativity and the nature of time and space. Nevertheless, crowds followed him eagerly. For instance, in Hartford, Connecticut, over 1,500 fans gathered along the route his car was to take, with some attempting to reach out to him.
As an introvert, Einstein found these displays overwhelming but accepted them as a necessary part of his public role. He expressed surprise at encountering patriotic Jews who identified proudly as both Americans and Jews, noting that their experiences differed from those in Europe.
Although the tour raised $750,000, falling short of the $4 million goal, it played a crucial role in raising awareness of the Jewish plight in Germany. By the end, Einstein began to embrace his Jewish identity more profoundly, stating, "My relationship to the Jewish people has become my strongest human bond."
Chapter 3: A Public Relations Misstep
Following his return, Einstein found himself embroiled in controversy after an interview with Nell Boni, a reporter for a Dutch newspaper. He made remarks about American society that were perceived as critical, suggesting that women dominated public life while men showed little intellectual engagement. He described the American scientific community as lacking depth compared to Europe.
The backlash was swift and intense; many Americans felt betrayed by Einstein's ungratefulness, leading to a decline in his popularity. In an attempt to rectify the situation, he clarified that his comments had been misconstrued and criticized the poor translation of his words. He even sent a telegram to the Zionist Organization of America, denying the accuracy of the statements attributed to him.
In subsequent years, Einstein learned to navigate media interactions more cautiously while continuing to champion Hebrew University along with causes like civil rights and humanitarian efforts.