Dancing bears and jumping tigers

Although circus appears to be an apolitical form of mass entertainment at first glance, it was part of the state-controlled and ideologically influenced cultural sector in National Socialism. A wide range of animals performed in the circus ring: horses, bears, and dogs, as well as exotic animals like lions, tigers, and elephants. All of them embodied different character traits, ideas, and images in the gaze of the spectators. Focusing on Nazi Germany, the question arises of whether interconnections can be traced between the staging of animals in the circus and Nazi ideology. Aside from that, National Socialists considered and staged themselves as lovers and protectors of animals and nature. Did this self-portrayal have an impact on animal training and animals in the circus, or animal species performing in the ring? Based on laws and decrees enacted during National Socialism, as well as circus programmes, newspaper articles, and visual material, this essay tries to determine if and how time-specific concepts of hierarchy, community, power, will, and violence were put on stage through animal performance.