The role of gymnastics in the process of nation-buildingNation-building in Germany from the early nineteenth century is examined in this chapter. It compares the establishment of the German Reich as a nation-state in 1871 with that of other European countries and systematically examines the historical process and the contribution of physical culture in this context. The term ‘gymnastics’ (Turnen) was used in the nineteenth century to denote physical exercises and general physical culture. The term Turnen refers to a specifically German form of national gymnastics that originated in the nineteenth century. To this day, the term is found in the name of the German Gymnastics Federation (Deutscher Turner-Bund), the umbrella organisation for gymnastics, calisthenics and popular sports.