1936 Olympics Nazi propaganda

Brandenburg gates

“covert message”

Why weren’t the Games boycotted?

• American Amateur Athletic Union said yes

• Opposed German policies about exclusion of all non-Aryans (Jews) from organized athletics

• American Olympic Committee (Avery Brundage) went to Germany to see for themselves

• Received written assurance that Jewish athletes could try out for the German national team

Hitler’s popularity

Did people know?

Did they win?

notes to know

Jesse Owens - 3 world records

big question: How did Hitler use sports to promote political message?

Why 1948?

1936 Berlin - most recent games

1940 cancelled due to war

1944 not even considered due to war

1948 back to the “sacred truce”?

1948 London Olympics

The winners and losers of the Second World War

Why London?

WWII BlitzBattle of Britain

Medal count: who is NOT there?