Stuff You Missed in History Class

Melissa Chandler
History 1700
July 15, 2017
 Page 2

The purpose of this essay is to discuss Stuff You Missed in History Class The Nazi

Games and Jesse Owens August 1, 2012, podcast episode (Works 2012). In this podcast, the

hosts discuss the 1936 Berlin Olympics also knows as the Nazi Games. These games were held

at the end of World War I and Furor Adolf Hitler, who strongly supported Aryan racial

superiority, was the new Chancellor of Germany. Racial differences were put on hold while

Berlin Germany entertained forty-nine countries in what some called a carnival.

This podcast episode focuses on the Berlin Olympics and the Nazi propaganda agenda.

The smoke and mirrors that everyone enjoyed while the Nazi regime was backstage continuing

to gear up for their war. I agree that propaganda was a huge driving force behind why we see

athletes like Owen spotlighted. The United States was still on the fence about race and equality

for African Americans. Media covered stories about these athletes to steer the public eyes away

from the activities such as concentration camps being constructed and other ethnic cleansing type

activities. A way to help calm suspicions and cultivate a feeling that Germany was accepting

and normal.

Hitler did not care about the games until Joseph Goebbels convinced him of the benefits

and propaganda opportunities. He was quoted saying German sport has one task, to strengthen

the character of German people in viewing it with the fighting spirit steadfast comradery

necessary in its the struggle for its existence (Works 2012). Goebbels message is clear in

speaking to the citizens of their loyalty during a major shift and the increased push to grow the

German militant forces. New and other media coverage was handled by the Nazis, another great

example of propaganda strategies employed by the Nazis during the games. The games

themselves were held in a stadium made especially for the lavish ceremonies and over the top

entertainment. These games were considered fascinating and historically influential, but Jews
 Page 3

were scared for the end of the games. People in the Jewish community knew exactly what was

going on and wanted to boycott, hoping to stop the event altogether. The Olympic Committee

wanted to make sure it promoted fair competition, internationalism, and to promote peace

between nations. (Works 2012) Politics and Olympics do not mix and they should not, since

that is not what this stage is all about. Avery Brundage believed that The Olympic Games

belong to the athletes and not to the politicians (Works 2012). The podcasters briefly discuss the

events taking place behind the scenes of the games, some included; 800 Roma gypsies were

forcibly moved to camps outside of the city limits, construction was underway 18 miles north on

Jewish concentration camps, an order to have all anti-systemic signs taken down and the city was

cleaned up, and policies against gays were not enforced during the games (Works 2012). Jews

tried to boycott the Berlin games but ultimately failed to leave athletes disappointed, since they

gave up their chance to compete to support the boycott. The chance to compete in Olympic

Games would not return for 12 years since the games were canceled until 1948. Forty-nine

countries around the nation would show up and compete, making this one of the largest Olympic

Games in history.

There were no other arguments made, just that the world was fixating on the games

themselves and not the reason why Hitler, with Goebbels encouragement, put on such a show. I

did find this podcast enlightening as I did not really pay attention to the story behind the games

either. These games resonated more with me regarding the racial tensions at the time. African

American athletes competing and winning, while some white supremacist Americans believed

and still fought against equality. These brave men came home and got treated like they had done

nothing special, which would change, but at the time must have felt horrible. I did know that

many Jews did not compete and the ones that did were not comfortable going since they knew
 Page 4

that Germany was persecuting Jews at the time. It would be interesting to dive deeper into this

and find out more. I wish the podcast had lasted longer and provided me with more information.

In my history class, I believe they barely covered these games and I think they concentrated on

the racial side and what it meant to the African Americans stateside who were fighting for their

rights. It was a pivotal movement, one that the white Americans could not dismiss or argue.

These men were awesome!

In conclusion, the main purpose of the podcast was to educate the listener about what

went on behind the games. The podcasters did a good job of providing credible information that

makes sense. Timelines that connect actives with actions speaking volumes to what the

podcasters are saying. The Germans used the Berlin Games to earn favor with counties, by

throwing one of the most fascinating and influential games in history. Starting new traditions

which would be the standard we see today in our Olympic Games. These games also showcase

the strength and perseverance of Jewish and African American athletes such as; Helene Mayer

who would win silver in individual competition while representing Germany, in the sport of

fencing, and Jesse Owens, who won four golds in individual sprint and long jump, lending more

support to the African American civil rights fights against white supremacy.

Works Cited

Works, How Stuff. 2012. Things You Missed In History Class. August 1. Accessed July 15, 2017.

http://www.missedinhistory.com/podcasts/the-nazi-games-and-jesse-owens.htm.
Page 5