Nazi Propaganda

1
Nazi Propaganda
Control of the Masses in Hitler's
Germany Mexborough 2003
2
Nazi Propaganda

• What is propaganda?
• Propaganda is the use of the Media to
  aggressively promote one point of view.
• Propaganda is brainwashing of the public,
  convincing them of an ideological viewpoint.

3
Role of Propaganda

• The Press
• all non Nazi newspapers and magazines were taken
  over or closed
• all content was strictly controlled

Radio All stations under state control. Cheap
mass produced radios were sold. Sets installed in
cafes and factories. All Hitlers speeches
broadcast.
4
Role of Propaganda

• Films Over 100 000 made all approved by
  Goebbels. All films given a pro Nazi stance

Ministry for Public Propaganda and Enlightenment
5
Role of Propaganda
Joseph Goebbels

• Rallies and Campaigns
• Annual rally at Nuremburg
• 1936 Olympic Games, used as propaganda
• Local rallies and fund raising led by the Hitler
  Youth and local party organisations
• Posters used to promote Nazi ideals

6
Role of Propaganda

• Books and Art
• writers, and composers persuaded or forced to
  produce works in praise of Hitler
• Books written by Jews, Communists etc were banned
  and many destroyed in public book burning in 1933
• Jazz music banned because of its black origins

7
Propaganda

• Activity
• In pairs discuss different ways in which a
  government could attempt to brainwash the
  population. Make a brief note of your ideas.
• Think about what legislation (laws) that a
  government could introduce to aid their
  propaganda campaign.

8
Nazi Propaganda

• The Nazis quickly recognised the value of the
  media. From the early days of the party they used
  aggressive advertising to promote the nazi
  ideology
• Goebbels was in charge of enlightening the
  German public

9
Nazi Propaganda Methods

• Posters
• Radio
• Film
• Newspapers

10
Posters

• Posters are cheap and easy to distribute
• Placed in prominent positions they act as a
  constant reminder of ideology
• Can be used for many purposes

11
Examples of Nazi Posters
12
Radio

• Hitlers Speeches

Hitler is considered to have been one of the
greatest public speakers of all time.
13
Film
Film was used to show Hitler in a positive light
as often as possible. The Nazis commissioned
several films, each carefully portraying a
certain image try to think what this may have
been
14
Newspapers

• Censoring newspapers ensures that only the news
  you want people to read is available to the
  public
• Nazi party members wrote many articles for the
  press, ensuring that the message was always
  positive
• Many publications were banned, editors were
  removed
• Some of the biggest selling papers were Nazi ones
  (e.g. Volkischer Beobachter)

15
Activity

• Use all of the available resources!
• Explain how the Nazi Party used propaganda to
  strengthen their position once in power.
• See following slide for some advice on what to
  include in your answer.

16
How did the Nazis control thinking?

• Radio
• Posters
• Film
• Newspapers
• Censorship of all Media
• Nazi ideas were everywhere school, KdF, Hitler
  Youth, on all street corners.

17
Hitlers views
Propaganda, propaganda,propaganda. All that
matters is propaganda
Most people cannot cope with a lot of
information. Their understanding is feeble at
best.propaganda must be a few bits said in
simple ways
18
Hitler's rules for Propaganda

• Never hesitate
• Never prove what you say
• Never concede an inch to the other side
• Be one-sided.
• All your arguments must be in black and white
• Stick to your plan, even if the facts in it are
  out of date
• When you tell lies, tell big lies

19
Answering the QuestionUsing all of the
available resources. Explain how the Nazi Party
used propaganda to strengthen their position
once in power.

• A description of how each form of media was
  manipulated will NOT attain a high mark
• Ensure that you make the purpose of propaganda
  explicit
• A strong answer will recognise that no one method
  of Propaganda is successful in isolation
• The frequency of broadcasts and number of public
  images must be emphasised
• Analysis of how the combined media onslaught
  would influence the opinions of ordinary Germans
  is necessary for a high level response
• Reference to the available source material and
  some appraisal of its purpose and worth will
  enhance the quality of your answer