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 was to get into the minds of the public. The Nazis wanted to use their propaganda to have other people persuaded into joining the Nazis or to have the people too scared to do anything about them (try to stop them). They wanted to "spiritually influence the nation" to "enlighten" the people on the NSDAP policies and how they wanted to rule the state.

b. The means used to achieve those aims
They tried to get huge ideas across that were simple enough for the common man to understand. By doing this, they hoped that they could reach a majority of people and have them understand the bigger picture of the Nazis ideas. They liked the idea of constant repetition to get things stuck into the public's minds.

The Nazis used everything that they could to get their messages across through propaganda. They used the mass media (radio and press) to their advantage as well as almost all aspects of art. The Nazis also worked with schools to get to the youth and spread their propaganda.

c. Explain how the Nazis used the press, radio, and film as forms of propaganda. (Pgs. 247-253)
All of these forms of propaganda were used heavily by the Nazis because of how many people it reached and other factors. The people involved in the press (journalists, editors, writers, etc.) began to be rigorously controlled by the Nazis. The press were required by the state not to include anything in writing going against the nation or the Nazis.

Radio had already been regulated by the state for years but now it was even harsher. Radio was considered one of the greatest pieces that could be used for propaganda. This was because of the numbers of people that it could reach out to. Radio was able to transmit Hitler's key speeches so they everyone could hear them. Sirens began to ring when Hitler was about to give a speech and they were called "national moments".

Propaganda films were used to send out hidden messages while entertaining crowds of people. The state began to exercise control over films. Films were produced that were valuable in someway with propaganda from the Nazis. Anti-Semitic films started to be made to make the "Jewish problem" more of a household thing.

d. Explain Goebbels' contribution to the creation and development of the Third Reich
Goebbels was head of propaganda for the Nazis. He was in charge of basically overseeing that propaganda went well and stayed organized in Germany. His contribution to the development of the Third Reich was mainly because of propaganda and how it spread in the German public. Goebbels was a huge contribution to the Third Reich because of his involvement with propaganda and ability to spread it so widely in the state.

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 activities like these to show how many people were in support and how much national pride there was in the state. Large rallies and festivals were used to show spuriousness with all of the people that showed up to them. If you didn't attend a festival you could also be met with some Gestapo (fear being used as well).

Sport was used to make the youth become fit and able to carry children or become soldiers. They were expected to live up to the standard of the Aryan race which included a fit physique. Mass gymnastics were used also as spectaculars and to show national pride. Hitler believed in bringing sports and military close together which encouraged a lot of the youth to join the military.

The autobahn was used to show how strong Germany was. They were able to build such an advanced road system before other countries even had highway systems. The autobahn was also made to bring Germany closer together. Although it wasn't all that much of a success (tanks couldn't fit and not many people owned cars) it was still a huge piece of propaganda.

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).

Hitler wanted to replace most paintings with 'classy' Aryan artwork rather than some of the corrupt artwork from the past. Nazi art was to be painted at heroic and clear so that people would understand the messages which was the whole point of propaganda. With the paintings people started to look like the ideal Aryan human beings like healthy and strong peasants and supreme athletes. Propaganda was effective with paintings because it was to reach the masses along with being a popular source of entertainment for many.

Sculptures were more easily accessible to the public because they were usually toted at large and important buildings. They were used to show the strength and beauty of the Aryan people that could be made to look perfect. Sculptures were made with large muscles and faces that showed strength in the individual pictured.

Architecture was also a huge factor to Nazi propaganda. Architecture was similar to statues in the fact that it would be viewed by many people. Hitler wanted the intimidating style of tall and straightened buildings that were similar to the neo-classical architecture. Hitler believed that the buildings were to be used to show the strength and power that the Nazis had. He believed that it would strengthen their authority.