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Parsons, Forrest

History

2013

M.A.

In 1931 Germany was chosen by the International Olympic Committee to host the 1936 Olympic games, symbolizing Germany's return to the fold of nations after its defeat during the First World War. When Hitler came to power in 1933, many people in the United States, especially in the athletic community, raised concerns about a "Nazi" Olympics. In spite of his party's stance on internationalism, Hitler quickly assured the world that Germany would do everything possible to host a successful Olympic festival. For the next two years a massive debate raged in the United States about whether or not an American team should be sent to Germany in light of Hitler's treatment of Germany's Jewish population. Ultimately, the boycott movement was defeated and the United States sent its largest team yet to the Olympics. During coverage of the games the success of African American athletes was the dominant story in the media - completely overshadowing the real problem, which was the persecution of Jews in Germany. This phenomenon reflects the fact that by the 1930s most Americans came to view race in terms of "black" and "white."