Nazi Propaganda
Newspapers, Radio, and Film
Importance of Propaganda
Hitler and the Nazis believed that the use of propaganda was so important that Hitler appointed Joseph Goebbels as his Minister of Propaganda
Dedication to his job
Goebbels was a fanatical Nazi and was completely loyal and devoted to Hitler; in fact, Goebbel’s 5 children had first names that began with the letter H as a tribute to Hitler!
Purpose of Nazi Propaganda?
Create a POSITIVE view of Hitler and the Nazis; create a NEGATIVE view of those considered to be enemies, particularly Jews
Keys to Successful Propaganda
Hitler and Goebbels believed that propaganda should appeal to emotions rather than to intellect
Simple themes would be presented in a repetitive manner
Propaganda should have broad appeal in order to reach the masses (of people)
Propaganda areas of focus for the
NazisPortray Hitler and the Nazis as the saviors of Germany
Connect the Nazis to a positive, idealistic vision of Germany’s future
Portray the Nazis as confident, powerful, and superior!
Newspapers in Nazi Germany
The Nazi party had an official daily newspaper called People’s Observer
The newspaper stressed the superiority of Germany and the Nazis, and attacked enemies such as the Jews and Communists, and attacked the Treaty of Versailles
Der SturmerWas the most vicious anti-Semitic newspaper throughout Germany
It portrayed Jews as inferior, disease-spreading, physically deformed, with motives to control the world, and were Germany’s worst enemy
Radio BroadcastsRadio was used extensively as a propaganda tool in Nazi Germany
Hitler’s speeches were always broadcast on national radio
Restaurants and pubs were expected to have their radios on when Hitler was speaking
Radio’s Everywhere!
The Nazi government manufactured 2 versions of an inexpensive radio (called “People’s Receivers”) in an effort to reach every home in Germany
Use of the Radio in Nazi Germany
Radio broadcasts played up all the Nazi ideals—national pride, patriotism, pride in Hitler, and pride in racial supremacy
The Nazis made it a crime for anyone to listen to a radio broadcast from another country (England for example); anyone caught doing so would be sent to a concentration camp!
Films in Nazi Germany
The Nazis controlled the entire film making industry in Germany, and it was all controlled by Goebbels
Goebbels said that “films constitute one of the most modern and scientific means of influencing the mass…we must not neglect them.”
Movie Topics in Nazi Germany
Film topics included anti-Semitism, such as the movie The Eternal Jew, which showed Jews living in terrible conditions, portraying this as “normal,” and comparing them to rats, which spread disease
Movie Topics in Nazi Germany
Another popular topic was national pride and honor; in the film Hitlerjunge Quex, a young German boy wants to join the Hitler Youth, but his father is angered because he is a Communist; the boy joins against his father’s wishes and embraces the Hitler Youth
Triumph of the Will
Was a 1935 Nazi propaganda film directed by Leni Riefenshahl, a female movie producer
The film was commissioned by Hitler, and he is listed as an executive-producer
The film glorifies SS troops, rallies, marches, and speeches by Nazi leaders