...How effective was Nazi propaganda 1933-1938? One of the main tools of Hitler’s rising Nazi regime was the scrupulous propaganda which enabled the Nazi party to keep the German people in check and under their control, exposing them to only what they saw necessary and vital for Nazi prosper. This helped raise the ideal race that the Nazis strived so wholeheartedly to create. But, how can we determine whether it was effective? To do this, we must look at the various techniques that were used by the ministry of propaganda, and to what extent they worked and helped the Nazi prosper. However, we can only speculate. We will never fully know statistics about how effective Nazi propaganda was, since there was no market research, very few non-Gestapo conducted opinion polls to look at, and even if there were many others, the information would not be accurate and the opinions affected. If there had been polls conducted, the results would have shown exactly what Goebbels and Hitler wanted people to think - this was achieved by making sure that only certain things were safe to think - and more importantly safe to say. Hitler was able to gain more and more followers and appeal to the people due to the severe state of the German economy and the critical state of the people that had no savings, no assets and practically no food. The Versailles treaty had simply been a recipe for destruction for the Weimar Republic and the crisis was the last straw leading to its demise. Hitler was the only...
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...'socialist realism' for artistic and literary expression" (235). Do you think that this is comparable to the Nazi book burnings? I think Stalin, like Mark mentioned, enforced only areas of education which benefited his plans for the government and its people. There was a big change in the way that classes of people were treated; Stalin cared much less about women than the previous leader and he aimed to increase profits through industry for the already wealthy elite and the military (Goff, 2008). During this time he promoted education which would reinforce the values of hard work and discipline, but did very little for the people who worked just as hard as others, the farmers. They were living in poverty. I think that the only difference between Stalin and Hitler here is that Stalin's goals were centered around earning more wealth and making people more productive, though at the expense of certain classes' qualities of life. Hitler sought to "extinguish" an entire race of people, based on superior beliefs of a duty to cleanse the world. Thanks for the interesting posts about Stalin and Hitler! Let's go a bit deeper into the comparison of Hitler's and Stalin's use of propaganda. In "Mein Kampf" Hitler wrote the following about propaganda: "The receptivity of the great masses is very limited, their intelligence is small. In consequence of these facts, all effective propaganda must be limited to a very few points and must...
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...Sonn Eidem Eng 669 World Film: Germany Prof. Macanear Sept. 2014 German National Cinema: Nazi Propaganda Films German propaganda films were used by the Nazi party and Adolf Hitler in order to convey a message to the citizens of Germany. The messages would vary depending upon what Hitler and his party wanted to tell the people of Germany at that particular time. If it was pre-war propaganda it was Hitler on his rise to power. If it was wartime propaganda it was to keep Germany unite in their fight against the enemy and to keep them inspired with hope and promises of victory. "One of the most philosophically fascinating uses of cinema, is a vehicle for propaganda. Granted all mass media-books, television, music, newspaper, radio and nowadays the internet - can be used for propaganda, that is, as tools for getting a message broadly accepted in a target audience. But, it has been argued that film-as opposed to literature, the plastic arts, music and the other performing arts-has a unique power as a tool for propaganda" (Jason203). "The films of a nation reflect its mentality in a more direct way than other artistic films because films are never the product of an individual and the films address themselves and appeal to the anonymous multitude" (Kraucer, 5). This is why Hitler and the Nazi party decided to use film as a method for spreading their ideology. Film allowed them to reach the masses in a way that other mediums just couldn't do. Plus...
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...on “the stab in the back” (DOLCHSTOSS) – i.e. the Socialists / Communists / Jews betrayed Germany & the army was never defeated. This myth makes it harder to accept the Treaty ▪ Treaty weakened democracy in Germany and the German economy ▪ Friedrich Ebert appointed Chancellor in October 1918 2) The Weimar Constitution ▪ A National Assembly was elected to write this new constitution ▪ It met in Weimar because Berlin was not safe – so we call this whole period in German history the WEIMAR REPUBLIC, or WEIMAR GERMANY (or just WEIMAR!) ▪ Constitution ready by August 1919 ▪ Very democratic = everyone over the age of 20 gets the vote (men and women) ▪ Proportional representation is used in elections – so small, extremist parties find it easier to get into the Reichstag ▪ The President is the Head of State...
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...TOPIC: NAZI GERMANY Propaganda, terror and coercion underpinned the creation and maintenance of the Nazi state. Consider this in the period 1933-1939. The adage that perception is often stronger than reality has never been truer than in the Nazi state of 1933-1939, where image played a colossal role in the anti-semitic and Hitler myth propaganda of Joseph Goebbels. Image manufactured the fearful aura of the Gestapo as well as the ubiquitous representation of the law, both of which created and cemented acquiescence amongst the German population. It was through the creation of perception in Nazi society that propaganda, terror and coercion underpinned the creation and maintenance of the Nazi state. Any attempt to gauge the success of Nazi propaganda in the creation and maintenance of the Nazi state is somewhat difficult, as German society during 1933-1939 was so heavily influenced by terror and coercion that reported opinion did not necessarily reflect the true sentiment of the public. Nevertheless, it would be naïve to disregard the significant role that Nazi propaganda played in ensuring that the German public were unified in their support of the government. The most crucial objective of Nazi propaganda in the creation of the Nazi state was to create a new heightened national awareness. This was done through the creation of the Volksgemeinschaft (People’s Community), an institution that established cohesive community values. In order...
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...the Reichstag against the opposition deputies. If outvoting them takes longer than out shooting them, at least the results will be guaranteed by their own constitution. Sooner or later we shall have a majority, and after that- Germany. (Heiden, 142)' Adolf Hitler spoke these words in 1920, soon after becoming leader of the newly named National Socialist German Workers' Party, commonly known as the Nazi Party. There are many contributing factors, which lead to Hitler's gain in power over the next thirteen years. The recent history of post-war Germany, and the events that would follow were of perfect conditions for the rise of an extremist party such as the Nazis. World War One had left Germany in defeat. Germany was put under immense pressure by the treaty of Versailles, which contributed to the disastrous and politically unstable early twenties. Hitler was a strong and manipulating character, with extraordinary leadership skills and his party was very tactical. He was very much underestimated by opposing political parties. All of these factors lead to Hitler and his Nazis' becoming the sole political party in the Reichstag in 1933. The German Empire was formed in 1871 and soon became one of Europe?s most influential countries. It dominated in industrial and military power, and the German people were proud of their achievements. Up until the end of World War One, a Kaiser ruled Germany. From 1888 the Kaiser was Wilhelm II. He was very ambitious and militaristic and a threat...
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...Essay Topic: “Up to 1939, why did many Germans support Hitler and his Nazi dictatorship? “ In modern day history, Hitler is widely viewed as one of the world’s worst political leaders as his racial, fascist and totalitarian actions directly contributed to the outbreak of World War II which posed detrimental consequences on the entire world. From a second-hand analytical view, Hitler is perceived as an epitome of evil and the world still continues to battle the effects of the election of such a monstrous leader by German citizens. However, it is evident that the reasons why Germans supported Hitler and his Nazi dictatorship up to 1939 can be justified. Thus, as a result of his many favorable leadership qualities and characteristics (his excellent oratorical skills together with his promises to the German people, organization of the Nazi party and his intense propaganda), the Great Economic Depression of 1929 after the Collapse of Wall Street, the ineptitude of the Weimar Constitution, and ultimately the fear of communism, Germans continued to support Hitler up to 1939. By 1939, Adolf Hitler had become a very inspirational and charismatic leader as his great skill in public speaking had won over the loyalty and support of many German nationals. Hitler filled German people with a sense of hope that had been long lost for a very long time. Hitler attempted to please all aspects of life as he promised exactly what each group wanted. He promised to pay farmers higher prices for...
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...the world. Though some historians recount the events from World War II from a general perspective and focus on the different military strategies and government policies, others discuss the individuals involved in the war and their influence on the causes and outcome of the war. Further on, historians tend to focus on the major leaders during the world: Churchill, Hitler, Roosevelt and De Gaulle. Nevertheless, some historians have paid close attention to those around these great leaders and discussed their influence over them and their respective government policies. Before the beginning of World War II, Adolf Hitler guided the Nazi party into power in Germany during the 1930’s. Hitler did not led Germany into war on its own, but with the help of a few close associates one of them being Joseph Goebbels. As one of the main directors of the Nazi Propaganda in Germany and other parts of Europe, Joseph Goebbels led Germany’s internal affairs during the war especially during the completion of most of Hitler’s objectives during his leadership. It is difficult to imagine Germany’s actions during the war without looking a Goebbels. He definitely changed the outcome of World War II by implementing public enlightenment policies to drive Germans against the Jews and other minorities as well as to encourage the German population to fight the Allies. Goebbels involvement in the war as Hitler’s most intimate allies made him one of the most important figures during the war, especially when discussing...
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...Michael Bergin Professor Patricia Chappine GSS 2248 February 17, 2016 Nazi Rise to Power The Nazi party’s rapid rise to power did not go off without a hitch. After the hangover from WW1, the mood surrounding Germany was grim. Germany was slapped with international sanctions and forced to pay reparations to France and Britain for the huge costs of the war. The German people were looking for hope and a leader that could generate some real positive changes. In 1919, Adolf Hitler joined a small political party where he quickly rose to leadership through a number of emotional and captivating speeches. He “promoted a national sense of pride, militarism, and a concept of a radically “pure” Germany” (1). By the end of that year Hitler became the official Fuhrer of this small political party called the Nazi party which consisted of about 3,000 members. Hitler used the Jews as a scapegoat for Germany’s economic issues while encouraging anti-Semitic views and behaviors. In 1923, any momentum the Nazi party possessed came to a halt in Hitler's Beer Hall Putsch. In an attempt to overthrow local authorities in Munich, Hitler was sentenced to jail and charged with high treason. As things were looking bleak for the Nazi’s Hitler utilized the courtroom as a platform for his greatest attribute, propaganda. He would rant for hours and hours against the Weimar government demanding change. Throughout his trail Hitler actually gained support for his cause. At the end of the day the right-wing...
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...Joshua Painter 27/11/13 Nazi Support ‘To what extent did support for the Nazi party change between the years of 1923-33?’ Between the years of 1923 to 1933 support for the Nazi Party grew 37% from 7% share of the votes in 1924 to a much larger 44% in the elections of 1933. The success that the Nazi Party gained over these years was due to many changes and promises that Hitler and the Nazi Party made to the public. As the Nazi party had done so poorly in the 1924 elections, gaining just a 5% share of the votes, Hitler knew that he would have to make some drastic changes in order to gain power. The failure of the Munich Putsch also led Hitler to realise that the only way that he would be able to gain this power was through democratic, legal means. After the Putsch Hitler set about making the changes to the Nazi Party that were required to turn around the parties fortunes. The Nazi Party used propaganda very effectively to gain support. They played on Historic fears and complaints with great effect. Hitler was well aware that the people of Germany felt great animosity towards the Treaty of Versailles. He used this for the Nazi Party’s own political gain by using the Jews as a scapegoat for Germany’s problems during the 1920’s and by promising to the people that if he was in power he would tear up the Treaty of Versailles. By doing...
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...German nationalism • German film output peaked in 1930 • Cinema attendances rose throughout the Depression years • Cinema allowed the unemployed to escape the misery of their lives and go somewhere warm. The Berlin Olympics • Berlin was awarded to host the 1936 Olympics • This presented Hitler with a great propaganda opportunity • He wanted the world to see that Germany was peaceful • As a result of Antisemitism there were calls to boycott the Berlin Olympics • In the months leading up to the games Hitler tried to create an image of a peaceful nation by ordering the media to refrain from attacking the Jews • Olympic Stadium seated 100,000 • German Olympic team were the first to train full-time before competition • First time an Olympic Torch was carried from Olympia to the main stadium. • 49 nations competed in the Berlin Olympic Games • Jesse Owens a US African-American athlete was the star of the games winning 4 gold medals, Hitler refused to congratulate him • Italy’s football team won the gold medal • 9 Jewish athletes won medals Rise of Hitler and the Nazi party • In 1919-20 the Weimar Republic had to...
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...1. TO WHAT EXTENT WAS THE RISE TO POWER OF HITLER AND THE THIRD REICH, THE RESULT OF PREVIOUS POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS? Introduction Paragraph: Hitler was able to become Germany’s chancellor in 1933 and after 6 months he was already able to establish a dictatorship. It is surprising how such an abominable personage was able to gain total control over Germany, which had been able to become a democratic republic. As Kershaw stated, “the future of Weimar looked promising. And without the onset of the world economic crisis from 1929 it might have remained so”. Thesis: The rise to power of Hitler and the Third Reich was to a large extent the result of previous political and economic problems, such as Germany’s authoritarian origins, the minimum support the Weimar Republic had, WWI and the Great Depression. Body Paragraph 1 – Political and social structure of German authoritarian origins Germany had always favored nationalism, militarism, and anti-Semitism; all emotions in the German people that went back to Germany’s roots and history. Before the Third Reich and the Weimar Republic, Germany lived a prosperous period known as the Second Reich, during which they became a great empire due to the authoritarian traditions and the military success. This is a view extremely supported by the “structuralists”, who believe that Nazism and Hitler were simply products of German history and that they were forces that still dominated...
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...Similarities and Differences between Germany Nazism and Italy Fascism {Author’s name} {Institution Affiliation} {Due date} Similarities and Differences between Germany Nazism and Italy Fascism Introduction Fascism defined, implies an organization or acceptable rule of administration characterized by a government system led by a dictator who exercises harsh and strict control over the citizens, and the commons are mandated to comply with the government rule without resistance. Most authoritarian regimes rely on nationality or race to garner influence and support for a centralized autocratic government. The main aim of a fascist government is to enhance national unity and maintain a stable order in the society by exercising the element of fear among the citizens. Totalitarianism was able to exercise influence, by garnering devotion from regime loyalist. Its prominent execution was purported to collectively influence the success of a country. Supporters of the regime were rewarded by significant posts and incentives while non-loyalists were expected to remain silent without questioning the administrations motives. Use of violence was supported by the administration system to neutralize any emergent form of oppression. Fascism was a prominent governing system that was established during the early twentieth century, based on the need to respond to western influence and assert dictatorial states as new world...
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...turmoil politically and economically after WWI, the German people were ripe for a charismatic leader. They found that in Adolf Hitler. Hitler joined the German Work Party in 1919. The party embraced right-wing ideology which suited Hitler’s views. Adolf Hitler was a captivating speaker and he encouraged national pride, militarism and commitment to the Volk (people) and a racially “pure” Germany. Hitler changed the name of the party to the National Socialist German Worker’s Party, shortened to the Nazi Party. He hated the Jews and promoted anti-Semitism. There are many stories as to why Hitler hated the Jews, but it is commonly thought that it was because many Jews were merchants and financially successful, when many workers struggled during the depressed economic state of Germany. He had actually developed his dislike for Jews long before he became a soldier. Hitler was appointed chancellor in 1933 and since he had the support of approximately 400,000 Nazis, he was able to overthrow the democratic government and on March 23, 1933 became the dictator of Germany. As dictator, he could then turn his attention to the driving force which had propelled him into politics in the first place, his hatred of the Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals and his idea of a racially “pure” Germany. This paper will examine Adolf Hitler’s rise to power and how the greatest persecution in the world began when Hitler became dictator and would not end until years later in the greatest tragedy in all of human...
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...The Nazi Political Party The NAZI party also known as the National Socialist German Workers Party was founded in 1919 and ended after German surrender in 1945. The emergence of Nazi party set the world on a quick path to another war was created as a direct result of the post-World-War-One war treaty created without German involvement. For the German people The Versailles Treaty was just a continuation of hostilities with great financial consequences, loss of land and a forced reduction in their armed forces. The Germans had agreed to an armistice based on United States’ President Woodrow Wilson’s “Fourteen Points” However, when the “Big Four” Prime Ministers David Lloyd George of Great Britain, Vittorio Orlando of Italy, Georges Clemenceau of France, and President Woodrow Wilson attended the Paris conference they seemed to have created The Versailles Treaty strictly on their own terms, and established blatant...
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