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German gymnastics

Under the slogan "fresh, pious, happy, free", the gymnasts performed their exercises, which were executed in strict formation and rigid posture. Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, the " Father of Gymnastics" had not only physical movement in mind, when he founded the first gymnastics grounds on the Berlin Hasenheide in 1811. In addition, his gymnastic exercises were intended to foster both a patriotic mindset and an improvement in public health and military preparedness. Together with the student fraternities, the gymnasts provided essential support for the nationalist movement, which stood for democracy and Germany unity.