20,000 American Nazis Rallied At Madison Sq Garden, NYC 1939: 'A Night At The Garden'

[appalachiablue]

Last edited Tue Jan 12, 2021, 01:45 PM - Edit history (1)

Feb. 20, 1939: 20,000 Americans rallied in New York’s Madison Square Garden to celebrate the rise of Nazism – an event largely forgotten from American history. A Night At the Garden uses striking archival fragments recorded that night to transport modern audiences into this gathering and shine a light on the disturbing fallibility of seemingly decent people.
____________

- American Nazis In The 1930s, The German American Bund, The Atlantic, 2017
https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2017/06/american-nazis-in-the-1930sthe-german-american-bund/529185/

In the years before the outbreak of World War II, people of German ancestry living abroad were encouraged to form citizens groups to both extol “German virtues,” around the world, and to lobby for causes helpful to Nazi Party goals. In the U.S., the Amerikadeutscher Volksbund, or German American Bund, was formed in 1936 as “an organization of patriotic Americans of German stock,” operating about 20 youth and training camps, and eventually growing to a membership in the tens of thousands among 70 regional divisions across the country.

On February 20, 1939, George Washington's birthday the Bund held an “Americanization” rally in New York’s Madison Square Garden, denouncing Jewish conspiracies, President Roosevelt, and others. The rally, attended by 20,000 supporters and members, was protested by huge crowds of anti-Nazis, who were held back by 1,500 NYC police officers. As World War II began in 1939, the German American Bund fell apart, many of its assets were seized, and its leader arrested for embezzlement, and later deported to Germany...



- Youth camp of the pro-Nazi US organisation the German American Bund, in Griggstown, New Jersey, 1930s.

- Trump Will Soon Leave Office, But The Ingredients of Homegrown Fascism Remain, Extant Since 1930s
https://democraticunderground.com/1016282665

[Harker]

1. Perfect time for this.

Thanks for posting!

[appalachiablue]

2. Sure thing, right for the times, unfortunately. Time to

end this, again.

[Harker]

3. Indeed.

Every now and then the fascists get caught up in the thrills, and reveal themselves.

[kimbutgar]

4. I found a book at a swap Meet year ago

About the the lawless decade 1930’s. I brought the book because of a picture taken in the SF city hall of a Nazi meeting around the same time.

[appalachiablue]

5. San Francisco too, I knew about SoCal, LA and the

Silver Shirts. The Great Depression and people's suffering fueled the fascist mvmt. of the 1920s, 1930s which elites supported after the 1917 Russian Revolution as a way to stave off growing socialism and communism.

After the major 2008 economic crash we've had rising inequality for 40-50 years. Combined with long held racism and bigotry here's what we face again. America's 'fourth great crisis' as Ken Burns said.

PS I adore your little dancing figure!

[VWolf]

6. Interesting that the pledge of allegiance

did not include the words "under god," as they were added during the cold war. I always found that interesting.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. In case you are interested...

History repeats (or echoes): The Smithsonian Channel's "America' Hidden Stories". Two new episodes.

The second season of "America's Hidden Stories" has dropped two titles that are very relevant to today. The first is about a Nazi plot to interfere with an American election, FDR's. Sound familiar? The second is "The Klan Makes a Movie." Think it is about "Birth of a Nation"? It ain't! It is about a movie called, "The Toll of Justice". Throughout the Smithsonian program, it demonstrates how the reconstituted Klan struggled, then worked to rebuild the Klan into a more "sympathetic" group. See, the Klan wasn't really a hate group, it was interested in the health and well-being of the American nation and her people. Sound familiar?

I learned a new term, Miafa. It was a rebranding of the KKK. It means, "My interests are for America." Coming to a MAGA rally soon?

I really do suggest you watch both if you are able to do so. The historical relevance is fucking scary!

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=edit&forum=1002&thread=14899240

[appalachiablue]

8. Thanks, never heard of these and will check out the SI channel..

So much has been buried over. FDR certainly had more than his share of opponents, because he was on the right track and effective.