Transcript State of Deception UC Davis 2011

State of Deception
The Power of Nazi Propaganda
How do words relate to action?
Propaganda
Dissemination of information, whether
truthful, partially truthful or blatantly false
that aims to shape public opinion and
behavior.
Characteristics of Propaganda
• Contains true, partially true, or blatantly false
information and may selectively omit information
• Simplifies complex issues or ideas
• Plays on emotions
• Uses a variety of media (including symbols,
images, words, music)
• May be used to advertise a cause, organization, or
movement and attack opponents
Defining the Enemy
• Identification
• Isolation
• Exclusion
Propaganda Techniques
• Assertion
• Bandwagon
• Card Stacking
• Glittering Generalities
• Lesser of Two Evils
• Name Calling
• Pinpointing the Enemy
• Plain folks
• Stereotyping
• Transfer
The Reich Citizenship Law
(September 15, 1935)
Article 2
A citizen of the Reich is that subject only
who is of German or kindred blood and
who, through his conduct, shows that he is
both desirous and fit to serve the German
people and Reich faithfully.
The symbol of
the rising sun.
Family is gathered
close together
saluting the train.
Our German
Railway
http://www.ushmm.org/propag
anda/archive/poster-germanrailway
The Reich Citizenship Law
Supplementary Decree
(November 14, 1935)
Article 4
A Jew cannot be a citizen of the Reich. He
cannot exercise the right to vote; he cannot
hold office. Jewish officials will be retired
as of December 31, 1935.
The Eternal
Jew:
Grand political
exhibition at the
German Museum
in Munich
beginning
November 8, 1937.
He is hunched
over/physically
different/misshap
en – suggests
Jews are not
normal (demonic
in appearance –
“spawn of the
devil”
The hand is begging
for money – Jews were
accused of greed
(money lenders w/
extortionist interest
rates)(gold coins –
selling out Germany?)
Eternal Jew
The Jew is infecting
the country w/
Communism
There is a hammer
and sickle on a map
of the western part
of the USSR –
suggests a link
between Jews and
Communism *
He is holding a whip.
He is a ‘slave-driver’
(cruelty, suspicion that
the gold coins were illgot).
The print type is
somewhat hieroglyphic,
occult, and sataniclooking (Hebraic form of
German – implying
Jewish control of
Germany)
http://www.ushmm.org/propag
anda/archive/eternal-jewexhibition
Law for the Protection of
German Blood and German Honor
(September 15, 1935)
Section 4
Jews are forbidden to display the Reich and
national flag or the national colors.
Blonde hair,
athletic, fit,
strong, good
looking
This young
man is blonde
haired and
well-dressed.
This is a
typical Nazi
view of young
men
All students were
forced to join the Hitler
Youth – Boy Scouts
declared a Jewish plot.
German Students Fight for Hitler and Nation
The Nazi flag
is
prominently
displayed.
A sense of
power is
conveyed.
The word,
“Kampft”struggle or
fight.
The word
“VOLK” (folk)
(people) is
used.
http://www.ushmm.org/propag
anda/archive/poster-germanstudent/
The Reich Citizenship Law
(September 15, 1935)
Article I
A subject of the State is a person who
belongs to the protective union of the
German Reich, and who therefore has
particular obligations towards the Reich.
The caption loosely translates as, "The
National Socialist Party will save the
people's community. The people's
community will then turn to you and the
party." Posters of this type illustrate the
The family is engulfed by the Nazi party
(their guardian) – the eagle towers over
them, and stares intently off in the
distance.
disconnect between the party rhetoric and the
reality of party policy.
The “strong” eagle (power) –
almost a “wing of an angel?”
(protecting this
wholesome/ideal German
Thefamily)
Aryan Family (white, blonde,
attractive, blue-eyed, happy) (farm family)
The idea of a "Volksgemeinschaft," a
community of the people, had a very
powerful, very idealistic appeal,
comparable to the idealistic appeal that
some communist groups were attempting
to make at the same time.
Only the little girl isn’t looking at the baby but rather looking at us – in a way INVITING us into the
circle.
http://www.ushmm.org/propag
anda/exhibit.html#/records/dat
a/records/poster-idealizedfamily.xml