- Historical Context
- About the Exhibition
- Introduction
- Anti-Semitism
- The Techniques Of Propaganda: Disinformation
- The Techniques Of Propaganda: Scapegoating
- Beginnings of Resistance
- German American Bund: Origins
- German American Bund: Activities
- Fascist Movements in Southern California
- Related Movements in Southern California
- Resisting the Enemy Within: Community Work
- Resisting the Enemy Within: Civic Solidarity
- Hollywood Under Attack
- Hollywood Fights Back
- Investigating Un-American Activities
- Sedition Trial of 1944: Case Card 1
- Sedition Trial of 1944: Case Card 2
German American Bund: Activities
At the height of the Bund's power, national membership estimates varied from an exaggerated 50,000 to the FBI's count of 6,600. In Los Angeles, Bundists probably numbered no more than 500 active meetings, rallies and parties at Deutsches Haus and Hindenburg Park in La Crescenta. The Bund's highly publicized activities attracted the curious as well as the sympathetic.
The Bund held grand celebrations at the Deutsches Haus to commemorate the successes of Hitler and the Third Reich, such as the "liberation" of Sudetenland and the "Anschluss" of Austria.
At Hindenburg Park, the Bund held dances and "patriotic" assemblies. They often featured speakers from other native fascists groups including The Silver Legion and Militant Christian patriots. Bundists believed meetings with other fascists were an effective way to reach a greater American audience.
During summers in the 1930s, several recreation areas nationwide including Hindenburg Park served as the district site for Camp Sutter, a youth camp of the national Jugendschaft movement. The Jugenschaft or "Community of Youngsters" modeled itself after the Hitler Youth in Germany. Children were indoctrinated with the customs, ideals and traditions of Germany under the Third Reich.
