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

The chief aims of Nazi propaganda were for the propaganda to seem invisible to the people, to be simplified for even the least intelligent people to understand, to catch the people on a personal basis, to influence people spiritually, to make the government and people correspond, and to get rid of the “Weimer Culture” and foreigners.
In Source 13.2 the chief aim being portrayed is that the “aims of the propagandists” be invisible, but still be able to “penetrate into every cell of life.” In other words, the propaganda had to be subtle with their views so it would be hard for people to figure out exactly what the policies were of NSDAP, but the propaganda had to be powerful enough to effect Germans and to make them vote for NSDAP.
Another example, is Sources 13.3 and 13,5, the chief aim discussed is to simplify the propaganda enough so everyone in Germany can understand. The NSDAP didn’t want to leave Germans out because they couldn’t read the propaganda, so it was a goal of theirs to make the propaganda, like films, posters, newspapers, and radio, as simple as can be.
Also, in Sources 13.4 and 13.5 the chief aim discusses is making the propaganda memorable. The chief aim of making things memorable was to make sure that not just random people were talked to but, workers and specific people were given a personal chat to make them feel the NSDAP really cared about them and to catch their attention.
In Source 13.6 the chief aim of Nazi propaganda described here is for the propaganda to influence the people spiritually, through cultural, economic, propaganda on behalf of the state, and to enlighten people at home an abroad. The key aim emphasized in this source is “to enlighten people at home and abroad,” this tells us that the NSDAP didn’t just want to confine their ideas in Germany, but also spread them in other countries as well through the propaganda, like films, posters, newspapers, and radio.
Another key aim is discussed in Source 13.7, which talks about making the government and people correspond with each other. One of the main goals or policies of NSDAP was to make the government and people communicate and work together in regards to Germany’s stability.
Lastly, in Source 13.8, the chief aim discussed is getting rid of the “Weimer Culture” and foreigners. The Weimer Culture and foreigners were used in Nazi propaganda to show that these people and new traditions are diminishing the old traditions and to make the German race pure of Aryans.


b. The means used to achieve those aims

For the most part the Nazi Party gradually took over the press, radios, film industry, photographs, and posters; some quicker than others. For example, Hitler, the RMVP, and the head of the RMVP, Goebbels, over an extended period of time took over the press. At first Goebbels and the RMVP told the press what they could and couldn’t write about, but the RMVP ended up taking complete control over the press by holding daily conferences to discuss what was going to be published and Clause 14 was made. Clause 14 says “Obliged editors to exclude from their papers everything ‘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 offense to the honor or dignity of a German.” As you can see, the press were in the beginning just told by Goebbels and the RMVP that they couldn’t write about certain topics to the press cant write about anything that would offend “the honor or dignity of a German.” The press was not the only mean the Nazis used to achieve their aims, but they also used the radios.
The radios were taken over by Reich governors in 1933, “and in April 1934 the Nazis established a unified radio system and purged it of hostile elements.” Hitler, Goebbels, and the RMVP planned to put some of Hitler’s speeches on the radio to make it easier to catch people’s attention and so everyone could listen, but they didn’t gain any popularity on the radios so Hitler did more public speaking. The main purpose of the radios, though, was for light entertainment for the Germans. Even though Hitler’s speeches didn’t gain popularity some of the “key speeches were announced by sirens, and work stopped so all could listen to public loudspeakers. Radio wardens organized these important ‘national moments,’ and reported on attendance,” therefore, many Germans listened to some of Hitler’s key speeches, but people at home probably weren’t listening to them. Radios were not the only means used to achieve their aims, films, photographs, and posters were also used.
Film was the most used tool to achieve the aims of catching people’s attention, making the policies seem invisible, and inspiring the people. Goebbels thought that films could be huge propaganda tools because they could make films with Nazism undertones. It turned out that the movies with these Nazism undertones were very popular with the people because it was a source of entertainment and relaxation, the most popular films were “Jud Suss” and “Triumph of the Will.” Some of the unsuccessful films are “Hitlerjunge Queux” (Nazi murdered by Communists) and “Der Ewige Jude”(The Eternal Jew) mostly because the policies of the Nazis were extremely bold and harsh for the people, and they didn’t like it so they didn’t watch these movies. Therefore, in the more successful films Goebbels and the RMVP were able to make the Nazis policies invisible to the people through symbolism in the films, but they were also able to catch the attention of the Germans because the films were such a huge source of entertainment.
Also, photographs were used as a means to achieve the aims. In the photographs Hitler posed to convey that he was kind, gentle-hearted, and that his policies for Germany are great. In the photographs there were Nazism undertones as well that showed Hitler as a gentle being, and made it look like the German people were going to be taken care of. The photographs caught people’s attention because of Hitler looking so kind, so it made him feel welcoming, and there were hints as to what Hitler and the Nazi party planned to do. For example, in Source 13.20 it shows Hitler befriending children, which shows his kindness and that in his policies he might improve education or just the wellbeing of children. However, it is not directly said, so the aim of the policies almost being invisible is achieved because nobody knows exactly if there’s a policy being conveyed in this photograph, but it also catches the attention of Germans most likely because there are children in the photograph.
Lastly, the most used means of achieving their aims was posters. The NMVP used posters the most out of all the means, and they mostly achieved their aims as well. In the posters they depicted Hitler, NSDAP, and everyone else to get attention of the people and possible raise morale, which were their aims to inspire people and get their attention. Also, the posters made Hitler look like he was destined to be a leader, which might’ve inspired people as well, but also kept the policies invisible while still captivating people to vote for the Nazis. For example, in Source 13.22 it shows Hitler leading the German people, there are sunrays almost shining on him, and an eagle soaring above him; which if I saw this poster in the 1930s as a German I would’ve been greatly inspired by it because it shows that someone is going to get Germany out of the chaos from the Weimer Republic and lead Germany. However, I do not know exactly what policies Hitler is going to make if he becomes leader, but I do get the feeling that he’s going to lead Germany; which captivates me and still keeps the policies invisible to Germans.


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

c. The Nazis used the press, radio, and films as forms of propaganda mostly by limiting what the German people could be exposed to. First, Hitler and the RMVP gradually took over the press because they still wanted Germans to have the freedom to somewhat write about and express their ideas, to still have the freedom of speech and some sort of freedom of the press, but eventually Goebbels, Hitler and NMVP took complete control over the press. Before the press were just told what they could and couldn’t write about, but after they were completely taken over the press couldn’t write about anything that “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,” this was Clause 14. The power of the press made the Nazi Party limit what they knew about the NSDAP policies, what they planned to do, and only gave the “good” things about the Nazi Party; which was one of their aims, to make the policies invisible to the public but still captivate them.
The Nazis also used the radio as a form of propaganda by grabbing the attention of the people, making Hitler known around Germany, and inspiring the people with his speeches. In 1933 the Reich governors officially took over the radios, but “in April 1934 the Nazis established a unified radio system and purged it of hostile elements.” The Nazis did this because they wanted to limit what the people heard, Hitler, Goebbels and NMVP didn’t want the people to hear the bad things about NSDAP, they wanted the people to hear only the good things. Some of Hitler’s key speeches were aired on the radio, and at one point workers would stop working to listen to these speeches, it was mandatory that they did so. This way the people could only hear what Hitler wanted them to hear, and it was an attempt to captivate and inspire the people, but evidenced showed that the radio speeches weren’t very popular so Hitler did more public speeches instead.

Films were also used by the NSDAP as a form of propaganda by giving entertainment to the people that they could enjoy, but in the films there were Nazism undertones that were to catch the attention of the people and for the policies to remain relatively invisible. The films were very successful because many people enjoyed watching the films, and another one of the aims was accomplished as well, to make everyone be able to understand what is being said. In the films simple language was used and it was easy to follow. Therefore, the Nazis used films as a form of propaganda by giving entertainment, making the policies silent, catching the attention of the people, and making it comprehendible to everyone.


d. Explain Goebbels' contribution to the creation and development of the Third Reich

Goebbels’ contribution to the creation and development of the Third Reich was key, he oversaw everything that went on in the NMVP and worked extremely hard to catch the attention of the people and get NSDAP and Hitler get control of Germany. Goebbels’ was very close to Hitler, which helped him to make the propaganda that Hitler wanted. Also, Goebbels revolutionized propaganda by using radio and films, which were key components of the propaganda and what made the Nazis successful. For example, Hitler wanted to have strong, bold films that greatly criticized the Jewish population and emphasized the Nazis fiercely, such as Der Ewige Jude (The Eternal Jew), however, films such as The Eternal Jew weren’t very popular because of it’s boldness, and Goebbels saw the popularity dwindling and new exactly what kind of film needed to be made. The Triumph of the Will was one of these films because the people were able to enjoy the film and not feel threatened or disgusted by what the film presented, there were subtle undertones in the film that showed some the NDSAPs’ policies, but it was still enjoyable for the German people to watch so it was a huge success. Without Goebbels running the NMVP and propaganda I don’t think Hitler would’ve been successful in obtaining power because Goebbels mastered the propaganda to get the people’s attention and inspire them to vote for Hitler and the NSDAP.

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.

The Nazis used meetings and rallies, festivals, sports, the autobahns, and social policy as forms of propaganda by inspiring the people, getting everyone involved, and extending the propaganda to foreign countries.
First, the meetings and rallies were the most successful forms of propaganda to gain support. This is true because as Source 13.24 says at the rallies and meetings “There was no casual spectator; everyone played a part. Discipline, obedience, self-sacrificing, loyalty, duty—these were the highest virtues. The individual had to enter the mass…” At the rallies and meetings there was a feeling of “wishing to belong” and then Hitler came in to present his speech and captivated everyone because he was good at manipulating emotions. There was only one thing you could do at these rallies and meetings and that was to join in. The architecture by Speer made the mood very patriotic and inspiring, which captivated people even more. Since the rallies and meetings captivated people and made it easy for everyone to understand, while still keeping the policies “invisible” it was a propaganda method.
Second, the festivals were a means of propaganda because the Nazis used festivals to celebrate key dates in the Nazi year, and if anyone didn’t support it they might have been reported to the Gestapo. Therefore, people had to participate in these festivals, but it brought about patriotism and inspired people.
Sports were also a form of propaganda because it was extended towards foreign countries as well. It was extended towards foreigners by showing that Germany was superior then Germany, and that Germany is a powerful country. The sports wasn’t just towards foreigners it was also to strengthen the support from the people, which was done in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The structure of the building was made out of cement, but on the walls were the names of the soldiers who fought in World War I. This connected sports with militarism, which made the Germans seem stronger and that they should fight as hard as they can against the competition in order to win for Germany.
The autobahns were used as propaganda by the Nazis by Hitler and the NSDAP exaggerating the extremity of the project, which brought newsreel makers, photographers, and painters that helped to sell the message of “a revived German nation working together for the common good, symbolizing the political strength, willpower, and achievement of Hitler’s Germany.” The project was exaggerated to make it seem much more important than it actually was, it did provide about 125,000 jobs during the Depression, but once it was finished only one out of forty-four Germans were driving and using the autobahns. As one can see the autobahns were used as propaganda by over exaggerating the importance of the autobahns.
Lastly, the Nazis used social policy as propaganda by attempting to transform people’s consciousness and not their social position. The Nazis made an idea of a Volksgemeinschaft, which meant working together, where schemes were made to symbolize and bring people together for working together. Some of the other programs or groups were Beauty of Work and Strength, people’s car scheme, Winter Relief Campaign, and Eintopf. These groups attempted to symbolize co-operation and to illustrate the new People’s Community in operation. It was mainly focused on community and working together, which inspired Germans to join these groups and do those acts of unity.


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).

The Third Reich used painting, sculpture, and architecture for propaganda purposes by banding the Weimer Republic era of art and having tight control on what was produced as art. First, painting was used in the Third Reich for propaganda purposes by using the Weimer Republic era paintings as a mockery and disgrace for Germany and producing paintings that glorified Germany and showed the true Aryan people as superior. For example, Hitler decided to make two different art buildings, the Exhibition of Great German Art and the Exhibition of Degenerate Art. The Exhibition of Great German Art consisted of paintings and sculptures that showed pure Germans, the bodies of strong people who were German and healthy peasants, to show that German is strong and the superior race. In the Exhibition of Degenerate Art it showed “the disruption of established values under the Weimer Republic,” such as works in distorted forms, unnatural colors, and unsettling subjects. The overall message of the Exhibition of Degenerate Art was the Weimer Republic was a horrible system filled with chaos and ugly people, but the other exhibition emphasized the superiority of the German race over others and their strength. This was how the Third Reich used paintings for propaganda purpose, to show that the Weimer Republic was the inferior and chaotic Germany and the true Germans are Aryan and superior than other nations.
Sculptures were also used for propaganda purposes during the Third Reich; it also showed the purity and strength of pure Aryan Germans. For example, sculptures were made in front of Nazi buildings of huge muscle men to show the “biological pure, vigorous Aryan race.” There is clear evidence that there was a major difference between art before and during the Third Reich, which shows how the Nazis and Hitler wanted to show the vigor and purity of pure German Aryans. For example, in Source 13.37 it shows two sculptures of a woman by Georg Kolbe. The first one (1930) being sculpted with artist imperfections, imperfections that were made on purpose, but the other (1938) was made to look perfect. The texture is smooth like skin and there are no imperfections. These sculptures shows the purity in Germans Hitler was trying to make and show to other countries that they are superior and stronger.
Lastly, architecture was uses for propaganda purposes during the Third Reich by promoting the Thousand Year Reich the Nazis were trying to make because the materials these buildings were being made of were from materials that would last. For example, one of Hitler’s biggest projects was to rebuild the city of Berlin. He planned to make a People’s Hall, a five-kilometer long boulevard, an arch, and a station square. The main purpose of the rebuilding was to “give the regime the appearance of power and permanence,” which coincided with the idea of a Thousand Year Long Reich. The appearance wasn’t the only symbolism Hitler used as propaganda, he and Speer also used different building materials. Speer and Hitler made neo-classical and monumental style for public buildings to show authority and collective effort from the people, a traditional style was used for homes to show the backward-looking and pro-countryside aspect of Nazi ideology, and in some areas modernism stayed because they were already there. In conclusion, the Third Reich used paintings, sculptures, and architecture for propaganda purposes by banding the Weimer Republic era art and having tight control on what was and wasn’t produced by artists and the main architect, Speer.