The Century: America's Time - 1936-1941: Over The Edge

The 1936 Berlin Olympics: A Facade of Unity

The Olympic Games and Nazi Propaganda

• In the summer of 1936, Berlin showcased itself as a vibrant city during the Olympic Games, attempting to project a positive image of Nazi Germany amidst the global economic depression.

• The Nazis aimed to use the success of their athletes to promote National Socialism, masking the regime's darker realities during this international event.

• Despite no visible signs of anti-Semitism at the games, such as "Jews and dogs forbidden" signs, there was an underlying tension regarding Jewish athletes' participation.

Exclusion from Competition

• American relay team members Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller were excluded from competing due to their Jewish identity; Glickman believed it was politically motivated to avoid embarrassing Hitler.

• Jesse Owens emerged as a significant figure by winning four gold medals, directly challenging Hitler's Aryan superiority narrative. His victory prompted an angry reaction from Hitler.

Impact on International Relations

• While Germany won more medals overall, Owens' triumph symbolized resistance against Nazi ideology. However, Hitler leveraged this Olympic success for propaganda purposes.

• As Europe faced growing threats from Germany post-Olympics, America remained focused on its own issues like the Great Depression.

FDR's Response to Economic Crisis

Addressing the Great Depression

• Franklin Roosevelt highlighted dire conditions in America during his second inauguration in January 1937, emphasizing widespread poverty and suffering.

• To uplift national spirits, FDR utilized mass media effectively; photographers documented life during the Great Depression to evoke empathy and awareness among citizens.

The Role of Media in Shaping Public Perception

• Magazines like Life played a crucial role in changing public perception by showcasing powerful images that connected people with broader societal issues.

• Radio became America's preferred medium for news dissemination; FDR’s Fireside Chats exemplified how he engaged directly with citizens about ongoing events and government actions.

Government Communication Strategies

• FDR recognized newsreels as another tool for unifying Americans around government initiatives; these visual narratives helped foster a sense of collective purpose amid adversity.

The Role of Propaganda in Nazi Germany

Joseph Goebbels and the Mechanisms of Control

• Joseph Goebbels served as Hitler's Minister of Enlightenment and Propaganda, controlling the press and utilizing audio-visual media to influence public perception.

• The government installed loudspeakers in public spaces and distributed affordable radios, ensuring that every German could hear Hitler's voice daily.

The Ideology of the Master Race

• Propaganda films depicted a glorified vision of a superior Germanic future, promoting the idea that Germans were the "master race" destined to dominate others.

• Citizens were indoctrinated with beliefs about their superiority over other races, which was framed as a divine duty to impose their way of life on others.

Leni Riefenstahl's Cinematic Influence

• Fritz Lang, a prominent filmmaker, left Germany due to the oppressive regime; thus, Leni Riefenstahl became Hitler’s preferred director for propaganda films like "Triumph of the Will."

• Riefenstahl's film showcased grandiose imagery at Nazi Party Congresses, portraying Hitler as a god-like figure amidst military displays.

The Dismantling of Democracy

• Following Hitler's rise to power, book burnings targeted works by authors deemed subversive, signaling the end of democracy in Germany. Notable figures included Thomas Mann and Albert Einstein.

• Mein Kampf became a foundational text for Nazi ideology, outlining plans for an authoritarian state where dissenters faced severe consequences including imprisonment in concentration camps like Dachau.

Racial Classification and Persecution

• Under Nazi rule, society was divided by racial classifications; only those considered pure Aryans were accepted while Jews were labeled as undesirable and subjected to systemic discrimination.

• Anti-Semitic propaganda portrayed Jews as responsible for societal ills; this narrative permeated all forms of media leading to widespread acceptance among the populace.

Impact on Education and Personal Identity

• Schools taught children about racial superiority using pseudoscientific methods such as measuring physical features; students internalized these ideologies deeply affecting their self-perception.

• Nuremberg Laws enforced segregation from society; Jews faced restrictions on social interactions with non-Jews leading to isolation from community activities like swimming or excursions.

Consequences of Discrimination

• Jewish individuals lost citizenship rights and faced economic boycotts; any trace of Jewish ancestry led to immediate exclusion from civil service jobs regardless of prior achievements or qualifications.

• Personal stories highlight how individuals classified as "quarter Jews" experienced abrupt changes in their lives due to discriminatory laws enacted by the Nazis.

Expansionist Ambitions

The Rise of Hitler and Its Impact on Austria

The Arrival of Hitler in Austria

• The cheers are for Chancellor Adolf Hitler, returning to his homeland for the first time in almost 25 years.

• Karla Stept, a 20-year-old Jewish woman from Vienna, describes her home being invaded by Germans who were welcomed with open arms.

Escalation of Anti-Semitic Violence

• On a Friday evening, crowds began marching and shouting anti-Semitic slogans, including one that translates to "Jews perish in your own filth."

• By Saturday morning, Brown Shirts and Blackshirts targeted the Jewish population violently; men and women were forced to scrub sidewalks while being abused by onlookers. This rapid escalation took only 24 hours after Germany's arrival.

Global Context: Growing Tensions in Europe

• In spring 1938, news about Hitler's actions in Germany was unavoidable for Americans; there were concerns about Nazi aggression leading to war.

• A heavyweight boxing match between Max Schmeling (representing Nazi pride) and Joe Louis (symbolizing the fight against discrimination) became an international spectacle amid rising tensions.

The Significance of Joe Louis' Victory

• Joe Louis defeated Max Schmeling decisively in one round, which was celebrated as a significant victory during a time when morale was low due to global tensions. People shouted joyfully from their windows upon hearing the news.

• Milt Wolf, already fighting against fascism in Spain at age 21, viewed this victory as part of a broader struggle against tyranny and oppression. He joined American volunteers defending democracy against Franco’s fascist rebels supported by Nazi Germany.

The Threat of Fascism Expands

• By late 1938, it became clear that Hitler's ideology posed a threat not just to Europe but also potentially to America itself; fears grew that no nation would be spared from conflict or aggression.

• On September 12th, 1938, anticipation built around Hitler's live broadcast demanding the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia be annexed into Germany—an act seen as a precursor to war.

Diplomatic Efforts Fail: Munich Agreement

• British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain made multiple attempts to negotiate peace with Hitler but ultimately failed as he refused to withdraw demands for Sudetenland territory. War seemed imminent following these negotiations.

The Rise of Anti-Semitism and the Impact of Kristallnacht

The Triggering Incident

• On November 7, 1938, Herschel Grynszpan, a young Jewish man in Paris, shot German diplomat Ernst vom Rath in response to his parents' deportation.

• Vom Rath's death was exploited by the Nazis as an opportunity to incite public anger against Jews, leading to a campaign of violence.

Kristallnacht: A Night of Terror

• On November 10, 1938, known as Kristallnacht or the Night of Broken Glass, Nazi stormtroopers attacked Jewish synagogues and businesses across Germany and Austria.

• This violent rampage resulted in numerous deaths and over 20,000 arrests; it marked a significant escalation in anti-Jewish sentiment.

International Reaction

• The events shocked some Americans and raised awareness about the atrocities occurring under Hitler's regime.

• President Franklin Roosevelt expressed disbelief that such horrors could happen in the modern era but faced isolationist sentiments among Americans who viewed European conflicts as distant issues.

Hope Amidst Despair

• In April 1939, Marian Anderson performed at the Lincoln Memorial after being barred from Constitution Hall due to her race. This event symbolized America's stance on racial justice.

• Anderson’s performance provided hope for European Jews seeking refuge from Nazi terror despite strict immigration quotas limiting their entry into America.

The St. Louis Incident

• Fred Reif's family was among over 900 Jewish refugees aboard the St. Louis ship bound for Cuba; they were denied entry upon arrival.

• After five days off Florida's coast without permission to land in the U.S., they had no choice but to return to Europe where many would face dire consequences.

Political Constraints on Refugee Assistance

• Although Roosevelt sympathized with refugees' plight, he felt constrained by Congress's isolationist attitudes and prioritized aiding Britain and France against Nazi aggression.

• Following Hitler’s breach of agreements regarding Czechoslovakia in March 1939, most Americans remained reluctant to intervene in European affairs.

American Optimism vs. Global Crisis

The Outbreak of War: A Turning Point in History

The Announcement of War

• On the last day of August, visitors at a fair experienced a sudden blackout as they approached the Polish pavilion, leading to confusion about an electrical issue.

• A loudspeaker announcement revealed that Germany had just invaded Poland, marking a significant moment that shattered the optimistic atmosphere.

• The British Prime Minister addressed the nation from 10 Downing Street, declaring war on Germany and emphasizing the uncertainty facing Europe.

America's Response to European Conflict

• As war raged in Europe, Americans began to appreciate their own safety; flag sales surged as patriotism grew amidst global turmoil.

• President Roosevelt recognized the need for America to prepare for potential involvement despite public sentiment favoring non-intervention.

The Blitzkrieg Strategy

• Hitler's Blitzkrieg strategy led to rapid victories across Western Europe: Poland fell in six weeks, Norway and Denmark were occupied in 18 days, and France capitulated within six weeks.

• German air attacks on Britain commenced even as France collapsed; however, American involvement remained limited at this stage.

Preparing for War

• By December 1940, America initiated its first peacetime draft due to concerns over military readiness; the U.S. Army was significantly understrength compared to European nations.

• Training conditions were dire; soldiers used makeshift equipment like gravel-filled cans for grenade practice while grappling with fears about facing the formidable German military.

The Impending Conflict