2.2.1
The Effectiveness of Nazi Propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda (information designed to influence people) in Nazi Germany was run by Joseph Goebbels, the Minister of Enlightenment and Propaganda. Goebbels used a variety of techniques to spread the Nazi ideology (set of beliefs).
The Nazi message
The Nazi message
- Nazi messages focused on:
- The glory of war
- Hitler as a powerful leader
- The evils of Communism
- The inferiority of the Jews
- The glorification (presenting as admirable) of the Aryan race and volk values, such as family
Film and radio
Film and radio
- Cinemas showed films that emphasised Nazi messages. They were shown clearly in propaganda films and more subtly in films for entertainment.
- Hitler used radios in homes and loudspeakers in public spaces to reach everyone in German society.
- Radio shows would feature Hitler’s speeches, German music or Nazi history.
Rallies
Rallies
- Rallies and military parades were important for showing the strength of Germany.
- This appealed to the German people’s nationalist pride.
- One of the most popular events was the annual Nuremberg rally.
The Berlin Olympics, 1936
The Berlin Olympics, 1936
- The Berlin Olympics was a perfect opportunity to display Nazi power.
- The Nazis hoped the Olympics would showcase (show off) Aryan superiority.
- An embarrassing moment for Hitler was when the African-American Jesse Owens won gold in the 100 metres.
- The Nazi Party paused their anti-Semitic policies for the length of the Berlin Olympics.
Propaganda fail
Propaganda fail
- The Nazi propaganda machine only began to fail when Germany started to lose the war.
Censorship & Propaganda - Verdict
Censorship & Propaganda - Verdict
Joseph Goebbels, the Minister of Enlightenment and Propaganda was in charge of propaganda and censorship in Germany.
Censorship
Censorship
- The counterpart (served same purpose) to propaganda was censorship.
- The Nazis burned books written by Jews or books which disagreed with Nazi beliefs.
- All scripts in plays, films and radio shows were told what to say by the Nazis.
- Only newspapers that supported the Nazis were allowed to operate. In 1944, the Nazis controlled over 80% of German newspapers.
The initial success of propaganda
The initial success of propaganda
- We can regard the Nazi propaganda efforts as hugely successful. Goebbels could spread Nazi ideas in both obvious and subtle ways. Posters everywhere showed the messages that the Nazis wanted to spread.
- Most of German society supported the Nazis.
- In 1939, the majority of Germans had radios and Nazi messages were broadcast into peoples' houses.
The downturn of propaganda
The downturn of propaganda
- The Nazi propaganda machine only began to fail when Germany started to lose the war.
- It was difficult to believe that a win was possible when cities were being bombed and people suffered food shortages.
Nazi Art and Culture
Nazi Art and Culture
The Nazis wanted the arts to be traditional, not the ‘degenerate’ style (modern art) that was popular in the Weimar Republic. The Reich Chamber of Culture was set up in 1933 to monitor art and culture to make sure that they conformed to the Nazi message.
Buildings
Buildings
- The Nazis wanted buildings to reflect Nazi power.
- They modelled architecture off the grandeur (impressiveness and beauty) of the Ancient Romans and Greeks.
- Buildings had to be built from traditional materials.
- Albert Speer was Hitler’s preferred architect. He created key Nazi buildings, such as the buildings for rallies.
Music
Music
- The Nazis wanted music to be traditional.
- ‘Degenerate’ Jazz music was banned.
- Any music written by a Jewish composer was forbidden, for example Mendelssohn.
- Music by Beethoven was encouraged.
Art
Art
- Art was meant to glorify (make great) the Aryan race and traditional volk values.
- The Reich Chamber of Visual Arts was set up in 1933 to monitor art and culture.
- Art had a naturalist style (showing things as they really are). The Nazis popularised (made popular) paintings of the ideal Aryan family or rural (countryside) scenes.
- Favoured Nazi artists were rewarded with large competition prizes.
- Many artists fled the Nazis to continue their own style of art.
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Literature
Literature
- Literature needed to fit the Nazi message.
- Thousands of books were burned to show the population to send out a message of Nazi power.
- The Chamber of Culture had to approve all books.
Cinema
Cinema
- The cinema was a modern way to send strong messages of Nazi propaganda.
- All film scripts had to be approved by Goebbels himself.
- It was compulsory for cinemas to show short Nazi propaganda films before the entertainment film.
1Dictatorship
1.1Hitler & The Nazi Party in 1933
1.2Establishing Dictatorship, 1933-1934
2Control & Opposition
2.1The Machinery of Terror
2.2Nazi Propaganda
3Changing Lives, 1933-1939
3.2The Lives of Young People
4Germany in War
4.1The Impact of War
4.2Growing Opposition from the German People
5Occupation
5.1Nazi Rule in Eastern and Western Europe
5.2The Final Solution
Jump to other topics
1Dictatorship
1.1Hitler & The Nazi Party in 1933
1.2Establishing Dictatorship, 1933-1934
2Control & Opposition
2.1The Machinery of Terror
2.2Nazi Propaganda
3Changing Lives, 1933-1939
3.2The Lives of Young People
4Germany in War
4.1The Impact of War
4.2Growing Opposition from the German People
5Occupation
5.1Nazi Rule in Eastern and Western Europe
5.2The Final Solution
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