Fascist Physical Culture in 1930s Germany

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzjaUsIjsN4 In 1930s Europe, especially in the first half of the decade, the government sponsored fitness campaigns found in fascist regimes garnered a great deal of envy. As Charlotte MacDonald detailed in her fantastic work on the subject, democratic states like Britain, France and the United States were simultaneously fearful and fascinated by the implications... Continue Reading →

Physical Fitness for the Nation (1936 British Pathé Video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOsMiLxQHuA The 1930s were a tumultuous period of European history. Traditional political structures appeared to be faltering, fascist regimes were rising and the modern fitness levels appeared to be dropping dramatically. The following video, taken from the wonderful British Pathé archives, gives a snippet into the British government's attempt to reverse the political tide and... Continue Reading →

Strength! Featuring Saxon Brown (1930)

Born in England in the early 1900s, Saxon Brown (real name Henry Brown) was briefly lauded during the 1930s as 'Britain's strongest youth' & 'the world's strongest young man'. Though his time in the physical culture spotlight was short lived, Brown's strength was immortalised thanks to the below British Pathé footage. Featuring a number of... Continue Reading →

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