Introduction
Adidas is a German multinational corporation that designs and manufactures shoes, clothing, and accessories. It is the second-largest sportswear manufacturer in the world, after Nike.
The company was founded in 1924 by Adolf “Adi” Dassler and his older brother Rudolf Dassler. The Dassler brothers were members of the Nazi Party, and their company benefited from the Nazi government’s support of sport.
However, there is no evidence that Adidas was founded by Nazis. The company was founded in 1924, before the Nazi Party came to power. Additionally, there is no evidence that Adi Dassler was a Nazi sympathizer. In fact, he is said to have been critical of the Nazi government’s policies.
The Dassler Brothers and the Nazi Party
The Dassler brothers were both members of the Nazi Party. They joined the party in 1933, the same year that Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany.
The Nazi Party was a political party that was founded in 1919. The party’s ideology was based on nationalism, racism, and anti-Semitism. The Nazi Party came to power in Germany in 1933, and it ruled the country until 1945.
The Dassler brothers’ membership in the Nazi Party was a controversial issue. Some people have argued that their membership was a sign that they were Nazi sympathizers. However, others have argued that their membership was simply a way to protect their business interests.
Adidas During World War II
Adidas benefited from the Nazi government’s support of sport. The Nazi government used sport as a way to promote its ideology and to train its soldiers. Adidas supplied shoes to the German military during World War II.
In addition to supplying shoes to the military, Adidas also produced other products for the Nazi government. For example, Adidas produced the Panzerfaust, a type of anti-tank weapon.
Adidas After World War II
After World War II, the Dassler brothers had a falling out. They split their company in two, and Adidas was founded by Adi Dassler. Rudolf Dassler founded Puma.
Adidas and Puma became two of the leading sportswear companies in the world. However, the Dassler brothers’ feud continued until their deaths.
Adidas’s Response to Its Nazi Past
Adidas has been criticized for its Nazi past. In 2004, the company published a book about its history that acknowledged its involvement with the Nazi government. The book also apologized for the company’s actions during the war.
Adidas has also taken steps to distance itself from its Nazi past. For example, the company has removed the Nazi-era logo from its products.
The Controversy Over Kanye West
In 2018, Kanye West signed a deal with Adidas to design a line of shoes. The deal was controversial because West has made anti-Semitic comments in the past.
Some people argued that Adidas should not have signed a deal with West because of his history of anti-Semitism. Others argued that West’s comments were not representative of his views, and that he should be given a chance to redeem himself.
Conclusion
Adidas is a company with a complicated history. The company benefited from the Nazi government’s support of sport, and it produced products for the German military during World War II. However, Adidas has also acknowledged its Nazi past and apologized for its actions.
The controversy over Kanye West’s deal with Adidas is a reminder of the company’s Nazi past. However, it is also a reminder that Adidas is trying to move forward and become a more inclusive company.