Transcript Propaganda_in_the_Third_Reich

Nazi Propaganda
Propaganda
Definition…
the organised spreading of information to
promote the views of a government or
movement with the intention of
persuading people to think or behave in a
certain way.
Propaganda aims and methods?
Purpose of Propaganda
What methods did they use to try and
achieve this?
to strengthen support
for the Nazi Party and for
Hitler’s regime
 keep the population
content
 for Goebbels, to create
‘one single public opinion’
 to rebuild national
confidence.
 improve unity between
Germans.
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Hitler Myth
 Control over mass media in
Germany for example photographs,
posters, speeches, festivals, rallies etc.
 Ministry for Popular
Enlightenment and Propaganda
 flexibility – the party would
frequently change their policies to suit
each segment of the nation i.e.
economic policies for those hit by the
Great Depression.
Ministry for Public
Enlightenment and
Propaganda
Minister…
Task…
Control…
Joseph Goebbels
To spread…
‘enlightenment and
propaganda within the
population concerning
policy of the Reich
government and the
national reconstruction of
the German Fatherland’.
Dissemination of
information:
Newspapers, broadcasting,
art, literature, film, sport
etc!!
Dr. Joseph Goebbels
Motto: “Any lie, frequently
repeated, will gradually gain
acceptance.”
“We want to work on
people until they have
capitulated to us, until
they grasp ideologically
that what is happening
in Germany today is not
an end in itself but a
means to an end”.
"The essence of
propaganda
consists in
winning people
over to an idea so
sincerely, so
vitally, that in the
end they succumb
to it utterly and
can never escape
from it."
Goebbels…. Mastermind of the Third
Reich?
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German support rested upon the maintenance of Goebbels’ Hitler
Myth.
Included many modern techniques in his campaign such as the
radio which was frequently used and attracted a wider support base
for the Nazi Party.
Propaganda through the radio and the media meant that negative
events such as Kristallnacht were able to be disguised and twisted
to the Parties’ advantage.
Goebbels had the ability to play with the German people’s emotions,
for example, the Hitler Myth and the effect of it on German people,
especially at rallies and speeches delivered by Hitler.
He went further then just following Nazi ideas as he played on the
emotions of the German people to alter the way they think, to
commit to the regime and adopt the ideology such as
Volksgemienschaft.
Analyse these examples of
propaganda posters…
The Hitler Myth
Made Hitler a leader which German people
could easily identify with… a friend of the
workers whilst shown digging soil for new
motorways, a father-like figure whilst
playing with children, a soldier etc…
 The Hitler Myth is sometimes described as
Goebbels greatest achievement as a
propaganda minister.
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Newspapers
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How did the Nazis control the media?
Extended ownership of press (most
publishing houses eventually owned or
indirectly controlled by Nazis);
 Daily press conferences (directives
issued);
 Controlled those writing press (treason to
spread false rumours)
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The Radio
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It was believed by Goebbels that if Hitler were to give speeches,
then everyone should be able to hear them so the cheap sale of
radios or the “people’s receivers” was encouraged they cost just 76
marks
The radios were designed to have frequencies that would not pick
up foreign broadcasts.
By 1939 70% of German homes had a radio, 3 times the number in
1932 and the highest percentage in the world
Also encouraged community radio listening in factories etc. to
ensure the success of propaganda.
Hitler made 50 speeches in 1933 and Goebbels delivered speeches
on special occasions. These speeches were broadcasted on radio to
allow the public to hear them
After 1933, the speeches were given more appeal by being recorded
live at rallies.
Rallies
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The first rallies began in 1927 in Nuremberg and after this, became
an annual event
The organisation of the rallies showed Nazi mastery of propaganda
.They created an atmosphere so emotional that all members of the
crowd would succumb to the collective will.
The two main purposes of the rallies were to strengthen commitment
& make people want to be a part of something so impressive.
Goebbels stated that rallies could transform a person ‘from a little
worm into part of a large dragon.’
By 1938 attendance of people at rallies had reached almost 1 million
and the rallies would often last more than a week, bringing together
all of the leading Nazis
Rallies were very popular and the combination of discipline, flags,
music, lighting and powerful speeches by Hitler made people envious
and want to be involved in such a show.
Photo of the Nuremburg Rally 1938…
Camera!
Film
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Propaganda films were occasionally shown but this
technique of propaganda was not as popular as the
‘people’s radio’ – Goebbels preferred more ‘subtle’
forms of propaganda!
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Films concentrated mostly on Jews, Hitler and the
‘healthy Nazi lifestyle.’
As well as creating propaganda movies, some movies
were also banned because of their content, such as
Tarzan, which was banned because of the ‘lack of
clothes’ worn by both Tarzan and Jane.
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Examples: ‘Triumph of the Will’ (1934), described as
one of the most propagandistic films of all time and
‘The Eternal Jew’ (1940).
Was Propaganda Successful In Nazi Germany?
Successful
Unsuccessful
Had great emphasis on the • There was electoral
growth of the Nazi Party.
success for the party in
regions where there wasn’t
• Played a great role in
excess propaganda.
creating more support for
Hitler i.e. the Hitler Myth…
•Remember, Nazi
propaganda didn’t create
new attitudes within the
nation, but reinforced
existing ones i.e. antiSemitism.
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What effect did propaganda have on German people?
Where there any people against it??