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An African-American soldier stands guard over a group of captured German soldiers
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African Americans

African Americans had many interactions with Nazi Germany before and during World War II. Some visited before the war as tourists or even as participants in the 1936 Olympics. Many compared racism in Nazi Germany with the United States, where discrimination was pervasive. During World War II, some African Americans fought in the US military against the Axis Powers and liberated Nazi camps. Explore more content about African Americans during the Holocaust and World War II.

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All Content Tagged 'African Americans'

Video from the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games showing Jesse Owens winning the 100m sprint in 10.3 seconds
Film
100-meter race at the Olympic Games in Berlin, 1936
Members of the 12th Armored Division, which included African American platoons, await their orders. [LCID: 83791]
Photo
African American soldiers await orders
African-American soldier with the 12th Armored Division
Media Essay
African American Soldiers during World War II
African-American soldiers pose next to an oven in the crematorium of the Ebensee concentration camp.
Photo
African American soldiers pose in the Ebensee camp
Article
African Americans in Nazi Germany
German publication on multiracial children in the Rhineland
Article
The Nazi Persecution of Black People in Germany
Jesse Owens and Dave Albritton, both American athletes competing in the 1936 Olympics, pose with a German citizen
Photo
American athletes Jesse Owens and Dave Albritton
American Cartoon Covering Racism and the Refugee Crisis
Photo
American cartoon responding to racism and the refugee crisis
American troops, including African American soldiers from the Headquarters and Service Company of the 183rd Engineer Combat Battalion, ... [LCID: 83761]
Photo
American troops, including African American soldiers from the 183rd Engineer Combat Battalion
African-American soldier with the 12th Armored Division
Photo
An African-American soldier with the 12th Armored Division
American track and field athlete Archie Williams at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
Photo
Archie Williams at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin
Athletes Jesse Owens of the United States (right) and Lutz Long of Germany at the Olympic stadium. [LCID: 43338]
Photo
Athletes Jesse Owens and Lutz Long
African Americans were among the liberators of the Buchenwald concentration camp. [LCID: 86235]
Series
Experiences of Black People during the Holocaust and World War II
Media Essay
Black People during the Holocaust Era - Photographs
Cigarette card displaying some of the American track and field athletes that competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics
Photo
Cigarette card showing track and field athletes
Freddy Johnson, an African-American jazz musician plays the piano
Photo
Freddy Johnson

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