The Plot Against America

On June 22, 1941, Hitler expands his efforts, beginning a push to conquer land “from Poland across Asia to the Pacific by staging a massive assault to the east against Stalin’s troops” (83). Lindbergh praises his efforts, saying that they will stop the potential spread of communism. He says that if the Germans were not waging the war, Americans would have eventually had to. Herman says that Lindbergh is destroying everything America stands for. 

Sandy leaves to participate in an apprenticeship program called “Just Folks” (84), which is meant to give city children exposure to “heartland life” (84). He goes to stay with a tobacco farmer in Kentucky. The program is part of Lindbergh’s new “Office of American Absorption” (84). However, in the spring of 1941, Philip says that “the only minority the OAA appeared to take a serious interest in encouraging was ours” (85). Herman believes that Lindbergh’s goal is to begin separating Jewish families, but Sandy doesn’t see it that way. He wants to go live on a farm and draw the animals. 

After sixteen weeks of training for a commando unit, Alvin leaves Canada for a staging area in the British Isles. Shortly after Sandy goes to Kentucky, the Roths receive a letter saying that Alvin has been wounded in action.