Opposition from the Left

"Sportsmen cannot compete in the country of terror and victimization."

— Editorial in the Communist Party of Canada’s newspaper, The Worker, November 4, 1935

Around the world, the Left reacted with outrage to Nazi Germany’s brutal suppression of the socialist and communist parties and the dismantling of German unions. In the spring of 1934, the Communist International called for communists around the world to form coalitions with other progressive groups. In Canada, the communists allied with a wide range of anti-fascist groups in the League Against War and Fascism.

Local branches of the League were founded across Canada and carried on the fight against the rise of Nazism by organizing rallies, delivering radio addresses and distributing literature.

As part of their anti-Nazi effort, the Left campaigned for a Canadian boycott of the 1936 Olympics.

Nazi persecution of left in Germany

Inmates at Dachau concentration camp monitored by a Nazi guard as they perform forced labour, May 24, 1933. Opened in March 1933, Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp and served as a training center for SS concentration camp guards. During its first year, the camp held 4,800 primarily political prisoners from the communist and socialist parties. Over time, other groups, including Jehovah's Witnesses, Roma, homosexuals and Jews, were also interned at Dachau. More than 188,000 prisoners were incarcerated in the camp between 1933 and 1945, while an unknown number perished because of other causes.

Bundesarchiv, Bild 152-01-26

Hitlerism in Canada brochure

A pamphlet by the left-wing poet A.M. Stephen, distributed by the League against War and Fascism, Vancouver, circa 1935.

University of British Columbia Library, Rare Books and Special Collections, William Bennett Collection

Teach & Learn

The Boycott Debate

Lesson Plan
Students examine primary sources reflecting different perspectives on the Canadian debate to boycott the 1936 Olympics.

Student Reading
The Olympic Movement
PDF | 191 KB

Document
The Canadian Boycott Debate
PDF | 2.4 MB

Complete Teacher’s Guide to More Than Just Games
PDF | 22.3 MB