I get that deporting the Jews to Madagascar would have been very unrealistic, but what if Hitler decided to do it anyway, since for some reason he had a change of heart and decided that killing the Jews immediately was a little too extreme? How many Jews would have been able to survive in Madagascar?
Considering that the island now holds a population of just over 20 million, and considering that survival is a great incentive, I think a large number would have survived. It's not like being sent to Antarctica. Too many "what ifs" required for it to have ever happened, but survival on site shouldn't be an issue.
My question is whether Germany (or its allies) would have been able to supply enough food to Madagascar after the war starts going badly for them? Then again, the British or Americans could always capture the island at that point.
Would European Jews have the skillset needed to survive and thrive in a tropical environment?
The ones from the shetls in the rural areas might at least know how to farm, but I thougth the Jewish population was largely urban.
My question is whether Germany (or its allies) would have been able to supply enough food to Madagascar after the war starts going badly for them? Then again, the British or Americans could always capture the island at that point.
Considering that the island now holds a population of just over 20 million, and considering that survival is a great incentive, I think a large number would have survived. It's not like being sent to Antarctica. Too many "what ifs" required for it to have ever happened, but survival on site shouldn't be an issue.
EDIT: Unless, of course, the Nazis maintained local control and continued to act like Nazis.![]()
Since the Jews would have been stripped of all citizenship and been governed by an SS officer what do you think would happen?
How many Jews would have been able to survive in Madagascar?
Germany would not provide food for Madagascar, even if the war goes well. They might provide some hand tools and seeds, but i doubt it. Expelling the Jews was only consider because of logistical issues with killing them.
Germany also consider killing all excess Poles, but decided relocating them would be easier. The location of the relocation was never determined. Most of the surviving documents of low level workers, not high-level, serious proposal. It is closer to a captain in the USA pentagon planning an invasion of Argentina, than a general planning a possible war with Iran.
What I think is that, if this project had ever been more than a fleeting pipe dream, it would have ended very badly. We all know how unlikely and impractical it is, to say nothing of the likely outcome of having Nazis governing Jews. But the question that was asked, and to which I have tried to confine myself, was:
I've taken that to mean simply, could they have supported themselves? And I think it is clear that they could have.
I think that Germany could have provided some food for the Jews in Madagascar had Hitler had a change of heart. As you said, Hitler also planned to kill or deport all Poles, but since he was unable to do that, he still provided food for them.
Hitler would not have had such a change of heart. Period. Neither would Eichmann or Himmler.
Hitler would not have had such a change of heart. Period. Neither would Eichmann or Himmler.