1936 Olympics

Who convinced Hitler to bid for the 1936 Olympics?

Goebbels

Why did Goebbels want the Nazis to stage the Olympics?

He thought it was a great propaganda opportunity with media from 49 countries present.

What did some countries threaten to do over Nazi anti-Semitism?

Boycott the Olympics.

What did the Nazis do to prove they weren’t anti-Semitic?

They included a token Jew in their team.

What did Hitler and Goebbels want to show the world?

That Germany was modern, well-organised and civilised, and that the Aryan race was superior.

What was the capacity of the brand new Olympic stadium?

100,000.

What was used for the first time at the 1936 Olympics?

Television cameras.

What else was built to impress people at the Olympics?

The largest stop clock ever.

What impressed foreign visitors to the Berlin Olympics?

The wonderful facilities and the efficient organisation.

What appalled some foreign visitors to the Olympics?

The fanatic devotion to Hitler and the constant presence of the SS.

Who won the most medals at the 1936 Olympics?

Germany.

Which black athlete became the star of the Games?

Jesse Owens.

How many gold medals did Jesse Owens win?

4 gold medals.

How many world records did Jesse Owens break?

11.

Was the 1936 Olympics a success?

To an extent: Yes, for most Germans it embodied efficiency, but foreign visitors were dismayed at the propaganda.

What did William Dodd, the US Ambassador to Germany, say about the Olympics?

“I have never seen such an elaborate show.”

How did Godfrey Brown, a British athlete, describe the Berlin Olympics?

We thought we were attending a sports meeting but were treated to political propaganda.