The German American Bund, or the German American Federation, was a German-American Nazi organization which was established in 1936 as a successor to the Friends of New Germany. The organization chose its new name in order to emphasize its American credentials after the press accused it of being unpatriotic. The Bund was allowed to consist only of American citizens of German descent. Its main goal was to promote a favorable view of Nazi Germany.
German American Bund parade on East 86th St., New York City, October 30, 1937
German American Bund rally poster at Madison Square Garden, February 20, 1939
Samuel Dickstein was a Democratic Congressional Representative from New York, a New York State Supreme Court Justice, and a Soviet spy. He played a key role in establishing the committee that would become the House Committee on Un-American Activities, which he used to attack fascists, including Nazi sympathizers, and suspected communists. In 1999, authors Allen Weinstein and Alexander Vassiliev learned that Soviet files indicate that Dickstein was a paid agent of the NKVD.
"Cliff Dwellers" by George Bellows, depicting Lower East Side of the early 20th century
Tammany Hall politician John F. Ahearn was Dickstein's political mentor
John William McCormack (later 45th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives) was Dickstein's co-chair