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 make the message so simple that even the most uneducated of men may understand, but while doing that, let the message satisfy the working, middle and peasant classes. Through repetition the message will be instilled into the minds of the people and almost work invisibly in everyday society. It must become normal so that the public does not know how it is persuading and twisting their judgement. Goebbels wanted to create "one single public opinion."
b. The means used to achieve those aims
Nazi's used parades, rallies, sport, radio, press, film, posters, paintings, sculptures, architecture, literature, social policies, youth movements, and education as means to portray their Nazi ideology and message that they wanted to infect the people's minds with. They were able to do this because under their coordination policies (Gleichschaltung) they gained control over many media industries, and directing the media what to produce that was most effective. Nazis prosecuted non-conformist activities and slowly made changes to newspapers so that they gradually took more control. Modern technology also helped because this made pictures and speeches of the political leaders more readily available to the masses.
c. Explain how the Nazis used the press, radio, and film as forms of propaganda. (Pgs. 247-253)
They wanted the government to appear as a "People's Government," saying that it arose from the people and will be executed by the people, the propaganda machine being the link between the government and the people. Hitler also stated that the Reich will undertake a thorough moral purging of the body corporate of the nation, and using propaganda such as films, radio, and the arts to end this, using it as an instrument of power to brainwash the political opponents and people alike. The Propaganda was controlled and regulated by the Ministry for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda, created in March 1933. Also, in September 1933 the Reich established a Culture Chamber, which promoted German culture for the benefit of the people and the Reich. The Reich controlled the content of the newspapers and radios, Goebbels saying that the radio was "spiritual weapon of the totalitarian state."
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 highly important. When he became propaganda chief in 1928 and elected into the Reichstag in 1930, he dedicated his life to serving Hitler and making effective propaganda to support him to the fullest. It also helped that Goebbels was the most educated Nazi official and was a fantastic public speaker, therefore the Nazi Party gained a lot of popularity before 1933. Also, after the defeat at Stalingrad, Goebbels played a major role in Germany's domestic war front. He toured bombed cities boosting morale and raising effort, which gained him credit. A huge thing that Goebbels is associated with is that in May of 1945, he convinced Hitler to stage his dramatic suicide, following with the murder of his family and himself, leaving Germany in chaos and ruins.
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 mass rallies as one of the most effective ways to gain support for the Nazi Party, even though most people attending would be Nazi supporters, this would strengthen their support and make them even more loyal to the party as well as attract bystanders that were impressed with the rallies. Then there were the films of the mass rallies that won over even non supporters because they wanted to become apart of such an impressive movement. The rallies were basically a carefully choreographed performance in order to impress the onlookers and be precise designed by Goebbels and architect Albert Speer.
Festivals were other events that were held countless times throughout the year in order to celebrate key dates on the Nazi calendar such as significant events that involved the Nazi Parties rise to power or Hitler's birthday had marvelous banners and events held to glorify these days.
The Nazis also used sports as a form of propaganda using the Hitler Youth and DAF to organize sporting events, like gymnastics for the public eye. This encouraged women and men to get fit and have the ideal child bearing and muscular bodies that women and men needed. Nazi's make sure that the 1936 Olympics had a significant amount of propaganda used throughout, making the building in Berlin massive and commemorating dead German soldiers. Hitler saw the Olympics as a way to show that the German Aryan race was much superior to any other race, as well as boost Germany's international status (competition being more between countries than individuals).
Autobahns (highways) also had a role in propaganda as well, economically and militarily as an expression of Germany's unity. It provided needed employment during the Great Depression and helped transport soldiers and equipment all around Germany. It also illustrated great diversity in architecture between traditional and modern. The German nation was working together for the common good, symbolizing political strength.
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 paintings, sculptures and architecture to reinforce their power and instill their values and come to a collective mindset. Hitler wanted to foster the Aryan race mindset into paintings, Nazi art was to be clear, direct, and heroic. In Nazi art people were drawn ideally, such as the healthy peasant, hard worker, productive woman, supreme athlete, etc. Hitler said that true art was to be of the masses, not reflect popular taste. Sculptures on the other hand were readily available because they were sculpted with the new buildings. Muscular, perfect Aryan men filled cities and important buildings to bring the air of intimidation and inferiority. One of these buildings was Hitler's first prestigious buildings to be created called, "The Exhibition of Great German Art." It was more that just a place for artists to display and sell their works of art, but to see the real German! Also, in architecture, the man Albert Speer was Hitler's architect because he created the most important forms of propaganda, because buildings were experienced by large amounts of people, and therefore can influence things. Buildings were make strong in order to symbolize a long lasting Reich in history. Hitler favored a Neo-Classical, monumental style, strengthening the authority.
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