Newspapers, Radio, and Film Nazi Propaganda Newspapers, Radio, and Film

Importance of Propaganda Hitler and the Nazis believed that the use of propaganda was so important that Hitler appointed Joseph Goebbels as his Minister of Propaganda

Dedication to his job Goebbels was a fanatical Nazi and was completely loyal and devoted to Hitler; in fact, Goebbel’s 5 children had first names that began with the letter H as a tribute to Hitler!

Purpose of Nazi Propaganda? Create a POSITIVE view of Hitler and the Nazis; create a NEGATIVE view of those considered to be enemies, particularly Jews

Keys to Successful Propaganda Hitler and Goebbels believed that propaganda should appeal to emotions rather than to intellect Simple themes would be presented in a repetitive manner Propaganda should have broad appeal in order to reach the masses (of people)

Propaganda areas of focus for the Nazis Portray Hitler and the Nazis as the saviors of Germany Connect the Nazis to a positive, idealistic vision of Germany’s future Portray the Nazis as confident, powerful, and superior!

Newspapers in Nazi Germany The Nazi party had an official daily newspaper called People’s Observer The newspaper stressed the superiority of Germany and the Nazis, and attacked enemies such as the Jews and Communists, and attacked the Treaty of Versailles

Der Sturmer Was the most vicious anti-Semitic newspaper throughout Germany It portrayed Jews as inferior, disease-spreading, physically deformed, with motives to control the world, and were Germany’s worst enemy

Radio Broadcasts Radio was used extensively as a propaganda tool in Nazi Germany Hitler’s speeches were always broadcast on national radio Restaurants and pubs were expected to have their radios on when Hitler was speaking

Radio’s Everywhere! The Nazi government manufactured 2 versions of an inexpensive radio (called “People’s Receivers”) in an effort to reach every home in Germany

Use of the Radio in Nazi Germany Radio broadcasts played up all the Nazi ideals—national pride, patriotism, pride in Hitler, and pride in racial supremacy The Nazis made it a crime for anyone to listen to a radio broadcast from another country (England for example); anyone caught doing so would be sent to a concentration camp!

Films in Nazi Germany The Nazis controlled the entire film making industry in Germany, and it was all controlled by Goebbels Goebbels said that “films constitute one of the most modern and scientific means of influencing the mass…we must not neglect them.”

Movie Topics in Nazi Germany Film topics included anti-Semitism, such as the movie The Eternal Jew, which showed Jews living in terrible conditions, portraying this as “normal,” and comparing them to rats, which spread disease

Movie Topics in Nazi Germany Another popular topic was national pride and honor; in the film Hitlerjunge Quex, a young German boy wants to join the Hitler Youth, but his father is angered because he is a Communist; the boy joins against his father’s wishes and embraces the Hitler Youth

Triumph of the Will Was a 1935 Nazi propaganda film directed by Leni Riefenshahl, a female movie producer The film was commissioned by Hitler, and he is listed as an executive-producer The film glorifies SS troops, rallies, marches, and speeches by Nazi leaders