In "In the Garden of Beasts," Erik Larson explores the complex political landscape of the 1930s and the reluctance of President Roosevelt and the State Department to openly denounce Hitler. This hesitation stemmed from a desire to maintain diplomatic relations and avoid escalating tensions at a time when the U.S. was still recovering from the Great Depression and was wary of becoming entangled in European conflicts. By refraining from strong language, they hoped to keep channels of communication open.

Additionally, there was an underlying uncertainty regarding the true nature of Hitler's regime and the implications of a harsh critique. Many officials expected that the situation in Germany might improve and believed that expressing overt hostility could have unintended consequences. This cautious approach limited their capacity to influence public perception of Hitler, allowing his image to grow in certain circles while underpinning the moral complexities of their diplomatic efforts.