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Nazi Propaganda
Propaganda is a message which attempts to alter public perceptions
and/or induce action. It serves some specific agenda. Propaganda can
appear in any form or medium and may or may not be obvious as
propaganda. Its actual source may not be obvious. Not all propaganda is
evil - some serves reasonable purposes. You be the judge of Nazi
propaganda.
How did the Nazis use
Propaganda?
According to Hitler in his novel, Mein Kampf (1925):
"But the most brilliant propagandist technique will
yield no success unless one fundamental principle is
borne in mind constantly and with unflagging
attention. It must confine itself to a few points and
repeat them over and over. Here, as so often in this
world, persistence is the first and most important
requirement for success."
Background
Joseph Goebbels was the
Minister of Propaganda and he
created the cult of personality for
Hitler; he “Nazified” the art and
culture of Germany.
"The effective propagandist must be a master of the art
of speech, of writing, or journalism, of the poster and
of the leaflet. He must have the gift to use the major
methods of influencing public opinion such as the
press, film and radio to serve his ideas and goals,
above all in an age of advancing technology. . . It may
be good to have power based on weapons. It is better
and longer lasting, however, to win and hold the heart
of a nation." -- Joseph Goebbels 1934
Bandwagon
This technique tries to persuade everyone to join in
and do the same thing.
Bandwagon: Hitler created a strong
sense of nationalism and encouraged
everyone, young and old, to JOIN IN and
serve Germany.
“All girls join us."
"Youth serves the
Fuhrer. All ten-yearolds join the Hitler
Youth."
Large political military ‘rallies’
appealed to the patriotism of
the German people.
“Mothers! Fight for
your children.”
Testimonial
An important person or famous figure endorses a product.
Testimonial: Adolph Hitler became the “poster
boy” of a strong, united, fearless Germany as he
proclaims “Long live Germany!”
Transfer and Emotional
Words
Good feelings, looks,or ideas transferred to the person for
whom the product is intended.
Words such as luxury, beautiful, paradise, and economical are
used to evoke positive feelings in the viewer.
Transfer/Emotional Words:
Hitler believed that the pure
German people, the Aryans,
were the master race. He said
one of the reasons that
Germany lost WW I was
because the German race had
been weakened through
Aryans marrying non-Aryans.
If Germany was to become
strong again, the Nazis had to
ensure the purity of the Aryan
race. This view of Germans as
the master race was
encouraged by the use of
healthy, ‘pure’ Aryans in Nazi
propaganda posters.
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Repetition and Name-Calling
The product name or keyword or phrase is repeated several
times.
Negative words are used to create an unfavorable opinion of
the competition in the viewer's mind.
Repetition/Name Calling: The film The Eternal Jew was created
to justify the separation, exclusion, & ultimately the destruction,
of the Jewish people. The narrator describes Jews as filthy, sly
and ugly and juxtaposes images of Jews with rats. The goal of
propaganda is ultimately action. What does one do to rats?
Exterminate them.
Compare and Contrast
The viewer is led to believe one product is better than another,
although no real proof is offered.
Compare and Contrast: Jews were banned from
owning or working at newspapers while Pro-Nazi films
were made to communicate what the Nazis wanted
people to know and believe. Openly anti-Jewish films
such as The Eternal Jew were produced and promoted.
Faulty Cause and Effect
Use of a product is credited for creating a positive result.
Faulty Cause and
Effect: Hitler wanted to
sell the idea that Jews
were the cause of all of
Germany’s problems - the
worst enemy of the
Germans, with the slogan
"Die Juden sind unser
Ungluck" (the Jews are our
misfortune).
Information posted in the streets
spread false information against Jews.
In Mein Kampf, Hitler maintained that the Jews
were everywhere, controlled everything, and
acted secretly behind the scenes to
effect/harm the people of Germany.
Reflection
The purpose of this PowerPoint is three-fold:
1) to gain knowledge about Hitler’s use of propaganda,
2) to recognize techniques used in propaganda, and
3) to reflect on what you have learned .
FOR EXTRA CREDIT (once you have completed your packet work),
explain how Hitler used propaganda to brainwash a nation. Consider the
explanation below for assistance.
There are four stages to Hitler’s brainwashing procedure:
DISSEMINATION of propaganda;
HARASSMENT of non-believers;
INTIMIDATION of incorrigible dissidents; and,
ELIMINATION of the problem.