Essential VocabularyBias—An unfair act or policy stemming from prejudice

Prejudice—irrational suspicion of a particular group, race, or religion

Ideology—a set of doctrines or beliefs that form the basis of a political system

Discriminate—to distinguish between categories; to show prejudice or preference

Nazi Ideology #1:

“Anti-Semitism is the same as de-lousing: getting rid of lice is not a question of ideology, it is a matter of cleanliness.”—Heinrich Himmler

Nazi Ideology #2:

“We have the duty to ‘depopulate,’ much as we have the duty of caring for the German population. We shall have to develop a technique for ‘depopulation.’ You will ask what is ‘depopulation’? Do I propose to exterminate whole ethnic groups? Yes, it will add up to that. Nature is cruel; therefore we may be cruel too.”

--Adolf Hitler

Nazi Ideology #2:

“Terrorism is an effective political tool. I shall not deprive of it merely because these simple-minded bourgeois softies take offense…People will think twice before opposing us, if they know what awaits them in the concentration camps.”

--Adolf Hitler

Goals of the Propaganda Initiative

• Encourage examination of the potential consequences of propaganda

• Increase the public’s ability to critically evaluate information

• Provoke discussion about responding to hate speech and propaganda today

Propaganda is:

• biased information

• intentionally spread

• 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

Assumptions• Propaganda can be put to positive or

negative purposes

• Propaganda seeks assent, not reasoned argument; it is not brainwashing

• Propaganda works with our conscious and unconscious hopes, fears, and desires

• Propaganda gives collective permission for thought, speech and deed

State of Deception

In the hands of a state, propaganda can become the means to deceive, corrupt,

control, and destroy.

Nazi Propaganda1919-1933: Propaganda for Votes and Power• Appealed to workers, women, students, peasants

1933-1939: Power and Persuasion in the Racial State• Eradicated democracy in 6 months; promoted the

collective vs. the individual

1939-1945: Propaganda for War and Mass Murder• War is justifiable to protect children and country

1945-Present: Propaganda on Trial• Propagandists were tried at Nuremburg

Propaganda Techniques• Assertion• Bandwagon• Card Stacking• Glittering Generalities• Lesser of Two Evils• Name Calling• Pinpointing the Enemy• Plain folks• Stereotyping• Transfer

Voices of the Excluded

http://www.ushmm.org/propaganda/archive/eternal-jew-exhibition

Nazi Film Clip

http://www.ushmm.org/propaganda/exhibit.html#/records/data/records/aryan-family-neues-volk.xml

http://www.ushmm.org/propaganda/exhibit.html#/records/data/records/post-hold-frankfurt.xml

Media Literacy1. Who created this message and what is the

purpose?2. What creative techniques are used to attract and

hold attention?3. How might different people understand this

message differently?4. What values, lifestyles, and points of view are

represented in this message?5. What is omitted from the message?

1931

“National Socialism

Germany’s Future!”

p. 33

1932

“Millions of Men without work. Millions

of Children without a

future. Save the German family.”

p. 47

1932

“Hitler over Germany”

p. 56

1932

“Work! Freedom! Bread!”

p. 40

1934

“Yes! Fuhrer, We Will Follow

You!”

p. 74

1936

The daily cost of feeding a person with a hereditary

disease is the same as that for an entire family

of healthy Germans.

P. 87

1936

“Every National Comrade a

Radio Listener!”

P. 71

1937

“You, too, belong to

the Fuhrer”

p. 81

1938

“The Gods of the

Stadium”

p. 84

1938

Poster of ballot marked “Yes!”

asking Germans if they agree with the

March 13, 1938 “reunification of

Austria with Germany.

P. 97

1939

“Victory over Versailles”

p. 98

1940

“Why we fight—for our children’s bread!”

p. 113

1942

“Behind the Enemy

Powers: the Jew”

p. 102

1943

“He is the blame for the

war!”

p. 135

1943

“Victory or Bolshevism”

p. 137

1944

“Traitor”

p. 109