the rallying of a nation: nazi propaganda

Honors Modern European History

Stephanie Petrone

Douglas Poskitt

Rocky Hill School

5/20/2013

The Rallying of a Nation: Nazi Propaganda

1

Table of Contents

Introduction……………………………………………………………………….2

Types of Propaganda……………………………………………………………...3

Goebbels & the Ministry of Propaganda………………………………………...4

Anti-Semitism……………………………………………………………………...5

Nationalism & Military Recruitment……………………………………………7

The Glorious Führer……………………………………………………………...9

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………..10

Bibliography………………………………………………...……………………11

Appendix.........................................................................................................…...13

2

The Rallying of a Nation: Nazi Propaganda

“The broad masses of the people are not made up of diplomats or professors of public

jurisprudence nor simply of persons who are able to form reasoned judgment in given cases, but

a vacillating crowd of human children who are constantly wavering between one idea and

another.”

- Mein Kampf (Chapter VI), Adolf Hitler, dictator of Nazi Germany

Introduction:

Throughout history, propaganda has been one of the main tactics that humans used to

endorse or condemn certain ideas held by its creators. According to the Merriam-Webster

dictionary, the definition of “propaganda” is described as “the spreading of ideas, information, or

rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person.” Propaganda

came in many forms, including audio, visual, and written. Usually, the ultimate goal of

propaganda is to influence the audience in favor of the cause or position the propaganda is

promoting. One of the most prominent examples of this technique was the Nazi propaganda

during Hitler’s Third Reich. In order to take control of Germany, Adolf Hitler needed to appeal

to the post-WWI Germans in order to gain their support and resources so that he could win over

Germany and, eventually, Europe. Hitler used different forms of propaganda to stimulate the

minds of his people so that he could convince them that the Nazi ideals are superior to all others.

This allowed the Nazis to create a sense of superiority over all other races, to brainwash German

people into fighting on the losing side of a war and to believe that Hitler was the supreme leader.

The Third Reich’s use of both written and visual propaganda during World War II was one of the

3

main driving forces promoting nationalism, military recruitment, Jewish persecution, and the

acclaim of Hitler’s dictatorship.

Types of Propaganda:

Propaganda has served as a technique to persuade its viewers to believe certain ideas,

values, and beliefs. Propaganda can be found in numerous forms and mediums, but there are

seven techniques that came to be known as the most effective. The first is called “card stacking;”

this allowed the propaganda to only include the information that benefits the creator’s cause. The

Nazis mostly used this method when Hitler reformed the German education system and only

included information that promoted Germany as a superior nation.

The second technique is the use of “glittering generalities,” statements and

advertisements that appealed to emotions and feelings but gave no evidence or fact on what

they’re supporting. This tactic allowed Hitler to make provincial assertions without the need of

evidence. These generalities evolved into “name calling;” the act in which people or ideas are

linked to negative words or phrases to condone fear or hatred. As Hitler specified the

characteristics of his Aryan race, labels and names were created in order to differentiate the

superior from the inferior. Jews were portrayed in children’s’ picture books as unhappy, grimy

looking street urchins while Aryan children were shown as happy, smiling children who were

well-dressed and proper. These obvious distinctions taught German children, from a young age,

that others that weren’t like them were to be treated differently.

The Germans also used the technique of “plain folk” in their advertisements, films, and

magazines. The concept of the “plain folk” made the propaganda appealing to the public due to

vernacular, relatable language or mannerisms, as well as the use of the testimonial method in

4

which the creators use celebrities to show that idolized people are participating. These techniques

segued into what was known as the “bandwagon.” The bandwagon method conveyed the

mentality that “everyone else was doing it” and convinced people into thinking that it must be

the right thing to do.

The final characteristic of Nazi propaganda was the use of “transfer.” The transfer

method used images or symbols to connect ideas with people, products, or actions. The most

commonly known use of this is the Swastika. The Swastika was used 5,000 years before it

became the symbol of the Nazi party, ironically originating

as a symbol of good fortune. During WWII, it became the

most recognizable form of Nazi propaganda, emphasizing

pride for the Aryan race and striking terror into the Jews.

The Nazis used the swastika to symbolize the Aryan

race. To people that were considered “non-Aryan,” this

character represented the unwelcome atmosphere and segregation directed towards the inferior

races. At the end of the 19th century, German nationalists used the Swastika on periodicals and

for the official emblem of the German Gymnasts’ League. By the 20th century, it was a common

symbol used in Germany to represent German nationalism and pride. For example, it is used as

the emblem for the Wandervogel, a German youth group. Conversely, swastikas also were also

used in anti-Semitic periodicals. The Nazis used these techniques to create propaganda that

would sweep the German nation, leaving a prevailing impact.

Goebbels & the Ministry of Propaganda:

The Swastika; the symbol for

the Nazi Party

5

In order to promote the rise of Hitler and the ideas and mentality of the Third Reich, the

Nazis used various forms of propaganda to manipulate the people of Germany. In 1933, Adolf

Hitler established the Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda; a government

administration that was responsible for supervising and regulating all forms of German news,

media and literature. The head of this ministry was Joseph Goebbels, a member of the Nazi

Party. Goebbels was skilled in the art of influencing what people thought and made the

persecution of the Jews the main focus of his position. Eugen Hadamovsky, the

Reichssendeleiter of German radio, describes Goebbels as “the master of political propaganda,

the neglected weapon of German politics became a creative art” (Calvin College).

Goebbels took a mental and emotional approach to Jewish persecution by using visuals

and media to influence people opposed to using military arms. This was done by depicting the

Jewish race as a plague on the German society that needed to be emancipated. Through his anti-

Semitic propaganda against the Jewish race, Goebbels played an important role in the creation of

an atmosphere which allowed the Nazis to execute terrible atrocities against Jews, homosexuals

and other minorities. The Nazis used numerous forms of propaganda to depict non-Aryan

cultures and races as second-rate citizens and alienate them from society.

Anti-Semitism:

Nazi propaganda served to define the

“enemy,” primarily the Jews, Gypsies,

homosexuals. Posters, children’s books, and

movies displayed these “enemies” with

grotesque appearances and associated them

Illustration from a German children’s book;

the headlines say "Jews are our misfortune"

and "How the Jew cheats." (Germany, 1936)

6

with genetic inferiority harmful to the nation’s health. Anti-Semitic propaganda portrayed Jews

as an “alien race” that fed off the host nation, poisoned its culture, enslaved workers and farmers,

and seized the economy. Some propaganda picture books that targeted young children

include Trau keinem Fuchs auf grüner Heid und keinem Jud bei seinem Eid (Don't Trust A Fox

in A Green Meadow Or the Oath of A Jew); Der Giftpilz (The Poisonous Mushroom); and Der

Pudelmopsdachelpinscher (The Poodle-Pug-Dachshund-Pincher).

A prominent example of anti-Jewish propaganda was Fritz

Hippler’s motion picture documentary, Der ewige Jude (known in

English as “The Eternal Jew”). The Eternal Jew attacks Semitism

in all aspects throughout the film. Jews are shown as a barbaric,

conniving race, comparing footage of Jewish ghettos to that of rat

infestation. This comparison promoted the persecution of the

Jewish because it caused Germans to think that the Jews were

filthy vermin that needed to be eliminated from society. The next

point made in the movie was how Semite integration crippled the German economy. The

documentary claims that “At the beginning of the twentieth century, Jews sit at the junction of

the world financial markets. They are an international power. Only one percent of the world's

population, with the help of their capital, they terrorize the world stock exchanges, world

opinion, and world politics” (Eberhard Taubert, The Eternal Jew screenwriter). This caused

German business owners and consumers to believe false evidence about the Jews’ economic

motives. The film continued to degrade the Jewish religion and gave more fabricated information

about the poison that the Jews spread in European society. The Eternal Jew concludes with the

Reichstag speech, a speech given by Adolf Hitler to the Parliament of the Third Reich that

Movie Poster from Fritz

Hippler’s Der ewige

Jude (The Eternal Jew)

7

ultimately sets the persecution of the Jews into motion. Fritz Hippler’s persuasive documentary

served as a key component in the segregation and discrimination against the Jewish race.

Nationalism & Military Recruitment:

In contrast with anti-Semitism and genocide, propaganda also enabled the Nazis to create

a sense of nationalism amongst their people, promote the idea of an Aryan race, and boost the

appeal of military involvement despite Germany’s gradual defeat. The sense of “national

community” was a cornerstone of Nazi propaganda. It glorified what was believed to be the

“Aryan” race and discriminate against anyone who wasn’t. During the 1938 Munich Olympic

Games, Hitler promoted his superior race by the use of athletic imagery. He drew a link between

Nazi Germany and ancient Greece. German athletes were depicted ask Greek gods, superior to

all and the ultimate victors. These portrayals symbolized the Nazi racial myth that superior

German civilization was the rightful heir of an "Aryan" culture of classical antiquity. Concerted

propaganda efforts continued well after the

Olympics with the international release in 1938 of

"Olympia," Leni Riefenstahl's controversial film

documentary of the Games. Leni Riefenstahl

(Helene Riefenstahl) was a German dancer, actress,

and film director best known for her

propaganda films in support of the National

Socialist (Nazi) Party. Riefenstahl had heard Hitler speak at a public rally and was drawn to his

rhetorical style and his ability to mesmerize audiences.

Adolf Hitler (left) and Leni Riefenstahl

(right)

8

One of the ways that the Nazis gained such control over the minds of the Germans was

the establishment of Hitler’s Youth movement. Youth leaders used tightly controlled group

activities and staged propaganda events such as mass rallies full of ritual and spectacle to create

the illusion of one national community reaching across class and religious divisions that

characterized Germany before 1933. This movement infiltrated the fresh minds of German

children, causing them to be brought up believing that the Aryan race is superior to all others.

The Nazis also used propaganda to boost the

appeal of military involvement despite Germany’s

gradual defeat. The job of military propagandists was

to portray Germany as the victim of foreign aggressors

that was forced to take up arms to defend themselves

from Communism. During WWII, the German age of

required enlistment was eighteen years old. In order to

indoctrinate Hitler’s militaristic ideals, the Nazis took

control of the education system, hanging portraits of

Hitler in each classroom. Board games and toys for children served as a way to spread racial and

political propaganda to the German youth. Toys were also used as propaganda materials to

indoctrinate children into militarism.

Upon reaching age eighteen, boys were required to enlist immediately into Hitler’s

military or into the Reich Labor Service. The Reichsarbeitsdienst, translated as the “Reich Labor

Service,” was a prerequisite for armed services; members worked to support the German

military: replenishing soldiers on the front lines with fresh weapons and ammunition, repairing

auxiliary machines and laying minefields. Propaganda materials promoting voluntary

German soldiers marching into Warsaw,

Poland; also known as the Warsaw

parade

9

involvement in the Reich Labor Service called for ever more fanatic devotion to Nazi ideology,

even as the German military suffered from defeat after defeat.

The Glorious Führer:

In 1934, Adolf Hitler was granted supreme dictatorship of Germany and assumed the title

of “Führer,” meaning leader or guide. After the collapse of the Weimar republic, the Nazi party

swept the German parliament and through numerous campaigns, rallies, and ballots, Hitler was

able to rise to power. Hitler became the ultimate figure of Nazi Germany, embodying strength

and dedication to Germany. Both Nazi propagandists and artists manufactured images of the

Führer, which were then duplicated into large quantities for public venues and private homes.

The Nazi Party publishing house printed millions of copies of Hitler's autobiography, Mein

Kampf, translated in English as “My Struggle,” in which exemplifies the Nazi party’s ideology.

His fame only grew with the influential speeches he

delivered at mass rallies, parades, and over radio waves. In

order to win over the German people, Nazi propagandists

portrayed Hitler as a soldier, a father figure, and ultimately

as a glorious leader destined to redeem Germany. Nazi

propaganda revered Hitler as an exceptional statesman who

brought stability to the German government, created jobs,

and restored the country to greatness. Under Nazi

subjectivity, Germans were expected to pay public fidelity Adolf Hitler; the Führer of

Nazi Germany

10

to Hitler in somewhat theological forms. These included giving the Nazi salute and greeting

others on the street with the phrase “Heil Hitler!” The devotion to Hitler strengthened the ties of

national community.

Conclusion:

Adolf Hitler’s incorporation of various forms of propaganda was a major influence on the

German militaristic patriotism, the prominence of his rule, and the oppression of the Jews during

World War II. Without the seamless persuasion of the Nazis’ public advertisements, there might

have been more speculation and open criticism towards the Third Reich ideals. Joseph Goebbels

and the Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda served to make sure that the

published propaganda would doubtlessly convince the public of the “good” Germany was doing.

Numerous propaganda techniques were used in order to appeal to the masses, aiming for wide-

spread appeal to the masses. Perhaps without the use of propaganda in Nazi Germany, many

nations of people would’ve recognized and prevented the injustice and terror that Hitler imposed

on his empire.

11

Bibliography:

o United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. "Nazi Propaganda." Holocaust

Encyclopedia. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 11 May 2012. Web. 05 Apr.

2013. <http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005202>.

o United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. "History of the Swastika." Holocaust

Encyclopedia. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2013.

<http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007453>.

o United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. "Rallying the Nation." Holocaust



o United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. "Indoctrinating Youth." Holocaust



o United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. "Deceiving the Public." Holocaust



o Jewish Virtual Library. "Nazi Propaganda Tactics." Nazi Propaganda Tactics. Jewish

Virtual Library, n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2013.

<http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/propaganda.html>.

o Holocaust in History, Literature, and Film. Harvard University, n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2013.

<http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/karthik/files/2011/04/HIST-1572-Analysis-of-Nazi-

Propaganda-KNarayanaswami.pdf>.

o "Reicharbeitdienst." Reicharbeitdienst. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2013.

<http://www.feldgrau.com/rad.html>.

o "Making a Leader." Holocaust Encyclopedia. United States Holocaust Memorial

Museum, n.d. Web. 18 May 2013.


o "Adolf Hitler." : Biography. Jewish Virtual Library, n.d. Web. 18 May 2013.

<http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/hitler.html>.

12

o "Joseph Goebbels (1897-1945)." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 18 May 2013.

<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/holocaust/peopleevents/pandeAMEX98.html>.

o "Joseph Goebbels." Joseph Goebbels. History Learning Site, n.d. Web. 18 May 2013.

<http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/joseph_goebbels.htm>.

o "Dr. Goebbels and His Ministry." Dr. Goebbels and His Ministry. Calvin College, n.d.

Web. 18 May 2013. <http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/gpa/goeb62.htm>.

13

Appendix:

Poster Advertising the Antisemitic Film Der Ewige Jude ("The Eternal Jew"), Ca.

1940. 1940. Photograph. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington

D.C.USHMM Artifact Gallery: Eternal Jew Film. United States Holocaust Memorial

Museum. Web. 18 May 2013. <http://www.ushmm.org/propaganda/archive/film-

eternal-jew/>.

Swastika. N.d. Photograph. World Wars and Movies. Fanpop! Web. 18 May 2013.

<http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/world-wars-and-

movies/images/7516872/title/swastika-photo>.

Nazi Germany. N.d. Photograph. Prettylittleresearchers. Wordpress. Web. 18 May

2013. <http://prettylittleresearchers.wordpress.com/2012/06/14/nazi-germany-article-

political-aspect-by-alessandra-garcia-narrea/>.

Warsaw Parade. 1939. Photograph. Warsaw. ThinkQuest. Oracle Foundation. Web.

18 May 2013. <http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0212881/warsaw.html>.

Hitler-and-Leni-Riefenstahl. N.d. Photograph.

Nuremburg.HereAndThereWithPatAndBob. Web. 18 May 2013.

<http://www.hereandtherewithpatandbob.com/2010/10/02/leni-riefenstahl-and-the-

nazi-rallies-at-nuremberg/>.

Hitler. N.d. Photograph. Adolf Hitler: Facts and Factoids. Web. 18 May 2013.

<http://ahitler.greyfalcon.us/>.

Illustration from a Children's Book. The Headlines Say "Jews Are Our Misfortune"

and "How the Jew Cheats." Germany, 1936. N.d. Photograph. United States

Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington D.C. Holocaust History. United States

Holocaust Memorial Museum. Web. 18 May 2013.

<http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/media_ph.php?ModuleId=10005274>.

the rallying of a nation: nazi propaganda

Documents