Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling and the new ideology of racial democracy in the USA

Abstract

This article assesses changing ideals about race and US national identity during the 1930s through an analysis of public reaction to black pugilist Joe Louis. Specifically, the article focuses on Louis' 1936 and 1938 fights with German boxer Max Schmeling, arguing that Louis' eventual symbolism as US democracy incarnate reflected an emergent racially inclusive nationalism in mainstream society.