Berlin 1936 and Mexico City 1968

Overview

Political exploitation of the Games, Nazi propaganda and racial ideology at Berlin, Jesse Owens, Jewish athletes, the torch relay and film, and the Smith and Carlos podium protest with Peter Norman.

What you need to know

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Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What is meant by the political exploitation of the Olympic Games?

   Model answer

   Political exploitation is the use of the Games by governments or groups to promote a political cause or ideology. The worldwide audience makes the Games an attractive stage for this.

2. 2

   Which regime hosted the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin?

   Model answer

   Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime, the Third Reich, hosted the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.

3. 3

   How did the Nazi regime use the Berlin Games for propaganda?

   Model answer

   The Nazi regime staged a lavish, efficient Games to impress the world. The regime presented Germany as strong, modern and unified.

4. 4

   What racial ideology did the Nazis hope the Berlin Games would support?

   Model answer

   The Nazis hoped German success would support their false belief in Aryan racial superiority.

5. 5

   How did Jesse Owens undermine Nazi racial ideology at Berlin 1936?

   Model answer

   Jesse Owens, a black American athlete, won four gold medals. Owens won the 100 m, 200 m, long jump and 4 × 100 m relay.

6. 6

   How were Jewish athletes treated in the selection of the German team for 1936?

   Model answer

   Jewish athletes were largely excluded from the German team. The high jumper Gretel Bergmann was dropped shortly before the Games despite her form.

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