The German American Bund, or "Amerikadeutscher Volksbund," was a pro-Nazi organization that operated in the United States during the 1930s and early 1940s. The Bund's primary goal was to promote a favorable view of Nazi Germany and its policies among Americans of German descent. It also sought to establish a strong sense of German-American identity and unity. The German American Bund was founded in 1936 by [[Fritz Kuhn]], a German immigrant and naturalized U.S. citizen. Kuhn was a fervent supporter of [[Adolf Hitler]] and the [[Nazis]]. Under his leadership, the Bund organized various activities, including rallies, parades, and summer camps for children, to promote their pro-Nazi agenda. ## Madison Square Garden pro-Nazi rally The Bund's most infamous event was the 1939 rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where around 20,000 supporters gathered to listen to Kuhn and other speakers. The event was met with widespread protest and condemnation from both the American public and government officials. The German American Bund's activities were closely monitored by the U.S. government, and it faced numerous legal challenges throughout its existence. The group's influence began to wane as World War II approached and anti-Nazi sentiment in the United States grew. Following the United States' entry into the war in 1941, the Bund was effectively dismantled. Many of its members were arrested and charged with various crimes, including sedition and espionage. Kuhn himself was convicted of embezzlement and later deported to Germany after serving his prison sentence. See also: [[World War II Timeline]], [[antisemitism]]