In Germany, a major gymnastic movement was started by Turnvater ("father of gymnastics") and nationalist Friedrich Ludwig Jahn in the early 19th century when Germany was occupied by Napoleon. The Turnvereine (; "gymnastic unions"; from German turnen meaning “to practice gymnastics,” and Verein meaning “club, union”) were not only athletic but also political, reflecting their origin in similar ethnocentric "national gymnastic" organizations in Europe (such as the Czech Sokol), who were participants in various national movements for independence. The Turner movement in Germany was generally liberal in nature, and many Turners took part in the Revolutions of 1848.
In Germany a major gymnastic movement was started by Turnvater ("father of gymnastics") and nationalist Friedrich Ludwig Jahn in the early 19th century when Germany was occupied by Napoleon The Turnvereine (; "gymnastic unions"; from German turnen meaning “to practice gymnastics” and Verein meaning “club union”) were not only athletic but also political reflecting their origin in similar ethnocentric "national gymnastic" organizations in Europe (such as the Czech Sokol) who were participants in various national movements for independence The Turner movement in Germany was generally liberal in nature and many Turners took part in the Revolutions of 1848