The Power of Nazi Propaganda State of Deception The Power of Nazi Propaganda

How do words relate to action?

Propaganda Dissemination of information, whether truthful, partially truthful or blatantly false that aims to shape public opinion and behavior.

Characteristics of Propaganda Contains true, partially true, or blatantly false information and may selectively omit information Simplifies complex issues or ideas Plays on emotions Uses a variety of media (including symbols, images, words, music) May be used to advertise a cause, organization, or movement and attack opponents

Defining the Enemy Identification Isolation Exclusion

Propaganda Techniques Assertion Bandwagon Card Stacking Glittering Generalities Lesser of Two Evils Name Calling Pinpointing the Enemy Plain folks Stereotyping Transfer

The Reich Citizenship Law (September 15, 1935) Article 2 A citizen of the Reich is that subject only who is of German or kindred blood and who, through his conduct, shows that he is both desirous and fit to serve the German people and Reich faithfully.

The symbol of the rising sun. Family is gathered close together saluting the train. Our German Railway

http://www.ushmm.org/propaganda/archive/poster-german-railway

The Reich Citizenship Law Supplementary Decree (November 14, 1935) Article 4 A Jew cannot be a citizen of the Reich. He cannot exercise the right to vote; he cannot hold office. Jewish officials will be retired as of December 31, 1935.

The Eternal Jew: Grand political exhibition at the German Museum in Munich beginning November 8, 1937.

Eternal Jew The Jew is infecting the country w/ Communism He is hunched over/physically different/misshapen – suggests Jews are not normal (demonic in appearance – “spawn of the devil” There is a hammer and sickle on a map of the western part of the USSR – suggests a link between Jews and Communism * He is holding a whip. He is a ‘slave-driver’ (cruelty, suspicion that the gold coins were ill-got). The hand is begging for money – Jews were accused of greed (money lenders w/ extortionist interest rates)(gold coins – selling out Germany?) The print type is somewhat hieroglyphic, occult, and satanic-looking (Hebraic form of German – implying Jewish control of Germany) * There is some debate what is in his hand...some have said land, others have said a heart (look at the shape)...in other words taking the heart out of good loyal Germans. Jews – inherently disloyal, perpetrators of foreign plots . . . . 14

http://www.ushmm.org/propaganda/archive/eternal-jew-exhibition

Law for the Protection of German Blood and German Honor (September 15, 1935) Section 4 Jews are forbidden to display the Reich and national flag or the national colors.

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The Nazi flag is prominently displayed. A sense of power is conveyed. Blonde hair, athletic, fit, strong, good looking This young man is blonde haired and well-dressed. This is a typical Nazi view of young men The word, “Kampft”- struggle or fight. The word “VOLK” (folk) (people) is used. All students were forced to join the Hitler Youth – Boy Scouts declared a Jewish plot. German Students Fight for Hitler and Nation 18

http://www.ushmm.org/propaganda/archive/poster-german-student/

The Reich Citizenship Law (September 15, 1935) Article I A subject of the State is a person who belongs to the protective union of the German Reich, and who therefore has particular obligations towards the Reich.

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The caption loosely translates as, "The National Socialist Party will save the people's community. The people's community will then turn to you and the party." Posters of this type illustrate the disconnect between the party rhetoric and the reality of party policy. The family is engulfed by the Nazi party (their guardian) – the eagle towers over them, and stares intently off in the distance. The “strong” eagle (power) – almost a “wing of an angel?” (protecting this wholesome/ideal German family) The Aryan Family (white, blonde, attractive, blue-eyed, happy) (farm family) The idea of a "Volksgemeinschaft," a community of the people, had a very powerful, very idealistic appeal, comparable to the idealistic appeal that some communist groups were attempting to make at the same time. Only the little girl isn’t looking at the baby but rather looking at us – in a way INVITING us into the circle. 22

http://www. ushmm. org/propaganda/exhibit http://www.ushmm.org/propaganda/exhibit.html#/records/data/records/poster-idealized-family.xml