Nazi Propaganda

Propaganda Definition… the organised spreading of information to promote the views of a government or movement with the intention of persuading people to think or behave in a certain way.

Propaganda aims and methods? Purpose of Propaganda What methods did they use to try and achieve this? to strengthen support for the Nazi Party and for Hitler’s regime keep the population content for Goebbels, to create ‘one single public opinion’ to rebuild national confidence. improve unity between Germans. Hitler Myth Control over mass media in Germany for example photographs, posters, speeches, festivals, rallies etc.  Ministry for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda flexibility – the party would frequently change their policies to suit each segment of the nation i.e. economic policies for those hit by the Great Depression.

Dr. Joseph Goebbels Motto: “Any lie, frequently repeated, will gradually gain acceptance.” "The essence of propaganda consists in winning people over to an idea so sincerely, so vitally, that in the end they succumb to it utterly and can never escape from it." “We want to work on people until they have capitulated to us, until they grasp ideologically that what is happening in Germany today is not an end in itself but a means to an end”.

Goebbels…. Mastermind of the Third Reich? German support rested upon the maintenance of Goebbels’ Hitler Myth. Included many modern techniques in his campaign such as the radio which was frequently used and attracted a wider support base for the Nazi Party. Propaganda through the radio and the media meant that negative events such as Kristallnacht were able to be disguised and twisted to the Parties’ advantage. Goebbels had the ability to play with the German people’s emotions, for example, the Hitler Myth and the effect of it on German people, especially at rallies and speeches delivered by Hitler. He went further then just following Nazi ideas as he played on the emotions of the German people to alter the way they think, to commit to the regime and adopt the ideology such as Volksgemienschaft.

Analyse these examples of propaganda posters…

The Hitler Myth Made Hitler a leader which German people could easily identify with… a friend of the workers whilst shown digging soil for new motorways, a father-like figure whilst playing with children, a soldier etc… The Hitler Myth is sometimes described as Goebbels greatest achievement as a propaganda minister.

Newspapers How did the Nazis control the media? Extended ownership of press (most publishing houses eventually owned or indirectly controlled by Nazis); Daily press conferences (directives issued); Controlled those writing press (treason to spread false rumours)

The Radio It was believed by Goebbels that if Hitler were to give speeches, then everyone should be able to hear them so the cheap sale of radios or the “people’s receivers” was encouraged they cost just 76 marks The radios were designed to have frequencies that would not pick up foreign broadcasts. By 1939 70% of German homes had a radio, 3 times the number in 1932 and the highest percentage in the world Also encouraged community radio listening in factories etc. to ensure the success of propaganda. Hitler made 50 speeches in 1933 and Goebbels delivered speeches on special occasions. These speeches were broadcasted on radio to allow the public to hear them After 1933, the speeches were given more appeal by being recorded live at rallies.

Rallies The first rallies began in 1927 in Nuremberg and after this, became an annual event The organisation of the rallies showed Nazi mastery of propaganda .They created an atmosphere so emotional that all members of the crowd would succumb to the collective will. The two main purposes of the rallies were to strengthen commitment & make people want to be a part of something so impressive. Goebbels stated that rallies could transform a person ‘from a little worm into part of a large dragon.’ By 1938 attendance of people at rallies had reached almost 1 million and the rallies would often last more than a week, bringing together all of the leading Nazis Rallies were very popular and the combination of discipline, flags, music, lighting and powerful speeches by Hitler made people envious and want to be involved in such a show.

Photo of the Nuremburg Rally 1938… Camera!

Film Propaganda films were occasionally shown but this technique of propaganda was not as popular as the ‘people’s radio’ – Goebbels preferred more ‘subtle’ forms of propaganda! Films concentrated mostly on Jews, Hitler and the ‘healthy Nazi lifestyle.’ As well as creating propaganda movies, some movies were also banned because of their content, such as Tarzan, which was banned because of the ‘lack of clothes’ worn by both Tarzan and Jane. Examples: ‘Triumph of the Will’ (1934), described as one of the most propagandistic films of all time and ‘The Eternal Jew’ (1940).

Was Propaganda Successful In Nazi Germany? Unsuccessful Had great emphasis on the growth of the Nazi Party. Played a great role in creating more support for Hitler i.e. the Hitler Myth… There was electoral success for the party in regions where there wasn’t excess propaganda. Remember, Nazi propaganda didn’t create new attitudes within the nation, but reinforced existing ones i.e. anti-Semitism. What effect did propaganda have on German people? Where there any people against it??