Nazi Propaganda

Read Nazi Propaganda - Aims and Methods - Part 1

Using the information and the primary sources describe: (Pgs. 245-247)

a. The chief aims of Nazi propaganda Propaganda was one of several ways in which Nazis gained popular support, and there were several chief aims of Nazi propaganda designed to aid the Nazis in their quest for popular support. According to the Minister of Propaganda Goebbels, propaganda had to be subtle yet clear and direct. He wanted the propaganda to be so subtle that the German people would not have any "idea of the aims of the propagandists." However, at the same time, Goebbels wanted the propaganda to be so clear and direct that "even the smallest man in the street may understand" it. Goebbels also wanted the propaganda to be understood by everyone, whether one was a worker, a peasant, or a member of the middle class. Hitler, in Mein Kampf, agreed with Goebbels in that he also wanted propaganda to be clear and direct. Hitler emphasized that "any effective propaganda must be reduced to the minimum of essential concepts..." and suggested that "only constant repetition can finally bring success in the matter of instilling ideas into the memory of the crowd..."

b. The means used to achieve those aims The Nazis had a variety of means used to help them gain support. Seemingly most important was the Nazi's control of the radio, press, film. Gaining control of the radio and films was easier than regulating the press where they inherited a diverse system of many local papers. However, the Nazis did not want to deprive the German people of their local newspapers, so the Nazis gradually extended its control of the press while maintaining many familiar titles. In addition to controlling the mainstream media, the Nazis were able to attract supporters through posters, paintings, sculptures, architecture, literature, social policies, youth movements, schools, sports, and parades.

c. Explain how the Nazis used the press, radio, and film as forms of propaganda. (Pgs. 247-253)

Press: The Nazis used the press as propaganda with their control of all the members of the press (journalists, editors, publishers) and directing what members of the press could write. In October 1933, the Nazis had a law passed, and Clause 14 of this law forced editors to keep anything "calculated to weaken the strength of the Reich abroad or at home, the resolution of the community, German defense, culture or the economy, or to injure the religious sensibilities of others, as well as everything offensive to the honor or dignity of a German" out of their papers. Secondly, the Reich Association of the German Press controlled the content of the press through the state-controlled Press Agency, which provided half the content of newspapers. The RMVP also held daily press conferences and issued detailed directives on content, including the length and position of articles.

Radio: The Nazis also considered the radio to be an effective form of propaganda, as highlighted with Goebbels statement that the radio was "the spiritual weapon of the totalitarian state." In 1933, the radio owned by the Ministry of Posts and by nine regional broadcast companies was taken over by Reich governors, and in April 1934, the Nazis established a unified radio system and purged it of Nazi-deemed "hostile elements." The Nazis controlled the content of radio stations. Although the radio used mostly for light entertainment, it was also used to transmit Hitler's key speeches. Key speeches were announced by sirens, and work stopped so all could listen to public loudspeakers.

Film: Film was seen more as a means of relaxation than for explicit propaganda purposes. Film was probably more effective in keeping support for the regime than in indoctrinating people with Nazism; the need for entertainment took priority. Still, about 1/6 of over one thousand films were considered overtly propagandist.The Reich Film Chamber regulated the content of both German made and imported films. Several American films were banned, and Goebbels made himself responsible for approving every film made in Germany. Some of the films which people were allowed to watch included the Kampfzeit (struggle for power), and others developed racist attitudes. In 1940, three anti-Semitic films were released to stress the "Jewish problem", but these films were not very successful. A more successful anti-Semitic film was Jud Suss. Audiences enjoyed it, but the film still attempted to justify the removal of the Jews.

d. Explain Goebbels' contribution to the creation and development of the Third Reich. Goebbels contributed significantly to the creation and development of the Third Reich. In March 1933, he joined the Cabinet as head of the Ministry for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda (RMVP). Under this lead, the RMVP developed into a vast organization, employing 14,000 people by 1937, and the organization was a vital prop of Nazi rule. Goebbels was the President of the Reich Culture Chamber, which was established in September 1933. Goebbels was in charge of seven sub chambers, and membership ws compulsory for people involved in cultural activities. In addition to these responsibilities, Goebbels was also the director of the Central Propaganda Office of the Nazi Party. He wanted propaganda to create 'one single public opinion' and put great stress on the importance of radio and films, making himself responsible for approving every film made in Germany.

Read Nazi Propaganda - Other Methods - Part 2

e. Explain how the Nazis used the activities described on pages 254-259 as a form of propaganda. 

Meetings & Rallies: Meetings and rallies were an effective form of propaganda for Nazis. Although most of the participants were probably Nazi supporters, the commitment of the supporters to the Nazis was probably strengthened. The Nazi meetings & rallies also attracted bystanders who may have been won over by Hitler's oratory skills. The combination of uniforms, disciplined mass movements, stirring music, striking flags and symbols created a powerful feeling of wishing to belong. Then, there was a speech by Hitler, who was a master at manipulating mass emotions.

Festivals: The Nazis also used festivals as propaganda. On key dates in the Nazi year, rallies were held in numerous cities, and streets were inundated with swastika flags. Sources 13.25 shows young German girls having fun at one of these festivals and probably made others want to join in on the fun.

Sports: The Nazis also used sport as propaganda. The Hitler Youth and DAF organized sporting activities, particularly gymnastics, for the masses because such activities would help develop the fit bodies that soldiers and child-bearers required. The government also made great efforts to ensure that the 1936 Olympics were a propaganda success, both domestically and abroad. Hitler saw the Olympics as an opportunity to display the physical superiority of Germans as the master race, to display the Germans' organizational ability, and to enhance the country's international status. The new Germany was on show, and anti-Semitic propaganda was reduced while foreigners were present. Germany won the most medals at the Olympics, a sign of Nazi supremacy. Additionally, Max Schmeling's success as a heavyweight boxing champion when he knocked out the legendary Joe Louis in New York in 1936 demonstrated Nazi supremacy.

Autobahns: The German autobahns were also used as propaganda in that they were a concrete expression of the new united Germany. The success of the autobahn program was heavily exaggerated: the success was far more propagandist than real. Photographers, newsreel makers and even painters sold the message of a revived German nation working together for the common good, symbolizing the political strength, willpower, and achievement of Hitler's Germany. This image was conveyed to an international as well as a domestic audience.

Social Policy: Social policy was also used as propaganda. A wide variety of schemes was devised to encapsulate the idea of Volksgemeinscharft, working together, protected by the state. The DAF, especially through its Beauty of Work and Strength through Joy sections, provided facilities for German workers. Also, the people's car scheme symbolized cooperation to help anyone.

Read Nazi Propaganda - Culture - Part 3 and Part 4

f. Explain how the Third Reich used painting, sculpture and architecture for propaganda purposes (Pgs. 260-270).

Painting: The Nazis wanted art to be clear, direct, and heroic, and these types of art were used as propaganda. In the Nazi style of art, people were not drawn as "real people" but as heroic idealizations: the healthy, peasant, the brave warrior, the supreme athlete, the productive woman. Such representation did not reflect the reel world but Nazi ideology and myth. Hitler believed that true art should be the art of the masses in that it reflected popular taste and could reach mass audiences. Although it is difficult to figure out how successful the Nazis were in using paintings as propaganda, historian Lehmann-Haupt argued that everyone was 'continuously exposed to some form of officially sponsored art activity.'

Sculpture: Sculpture, particularly the vast statues that adorned many of the new public buildings, was used as propaganda by the Nazis. In 1934, all new public buildings were required to be embellished by sculptures conveying the Nazi message. Other sculptures portrayed stereotype Nazi virtues.

Architecture: Architecture is viewed as the most important artistic form of propaganda, and Hitler's head architect was Albert Speer. The Nazis knew that buildings were seen by large numbers of people and could be constructed in materials that would last and could thus represent the Thousand Year Reich the Nazis were building. Buildings with a neo-classical monumental style had a large propaganda purpose. The individual was dwarfed in front of these buildings, representing absolute authority. The actual construction of the building also expressed the collective effort of the people, creating their Thousand Year Reich. A permanent 30-square kilometer complex around Nuremberg was also planned and partially built to accommodate vast Nazi rallies. Hitler had grandiose plans for a complete rebuilding of Berlin as a new world capital called Germania and the rebuilding of 30 other German cities, but this plan was never completed. Alongside this monumental style for Nazi regimes was a more traditional Germanic style for homes and youth hotels. These buildings reflected the backward-looking pro-countryside aspect of Nazi ideology.