Hitler and propaganda?

Question

How did Hitler become so powerful? Surely there must have been some mastermind behind it. How did they persuade the people to believing in him and his regeme? What decvices were used?

Answer 1

Nazi Germany was noted for its psychologically powerful propaganda, much of which was centered around Jews, who were consistently alleged to be the source of Germany's economic problems. Nazi propaganda also expressed themes more common among the warring countries: the imminent defeat of their enemies, the need for security, etc. Doctored newsreel footage was also used to garner support for the Nazi cause. Leni Riefenstahl is likely the most famous propagandist; her film Triumph of the Will is still viewed today as a masterpiece in filmmaking.

Joseph Goebbels was the Minister for Public Enlightenment & Propaganda in Nazi Germany and played a large role in creating new anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi material for the party. He was in charge of a propaganda machine which reached right down to branch level. In this way information and instructions could be sent out from party headquarters and adapted to local circumstances.

In the 1920s, Nazi Propagandist wanted to draw support for their political machine and create a new attitude of the German countrymen. One source of leverage was the Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty of Versailles, which was signed by the Allies of World War I in 1919, placed most or all of the blame on Germany for World War I along with harsh punishments dealt out to the country. The Treaty was referenced before and throughout the war as a “warning of what our enemies are capable of”, a direct quote of a 1942 speech by Joseph Goebbels.1Some believe the Treaty was too harsh including rising power Adolf Hitler. He states in Mein Kampf “In the oppression of the treaty (Versailles) and shamelessness of its demands, there lies the greatest propaganda weapon for the reawakening of a nation's spirit."

Answer 2

Well he was an outstanding orator in an era when that mattered. He was also the first politician to use modern campaigning tactics. When even the American president was campaigning off the back of a train, Hitler was flying all over Germany into small German towns and villages. He had exceptional people around him. Goring was a superb administrator as was Speer later in the war. Goebbels really knew how to use the media. The modern equivalents are Clinton and Blair. All three were marvellous on the stump - really exceptionally difficult to beat in an election but all three were poor administrators when they arrived. Hitler had better people e.g. he never had anyone as dire as Gordon Brown.

Answer 3

Hitler may have been fanatical but he was extremely clever, cunning and ruthless, I have never read of any masterminds behind him. He was clever at exploiting a widespread feeling that Germany had been betrayed by its leaders in WW1. The war reparations Germany had to pay were economically impossible to do so and this caused wide social disruptions.
The Nazis were also master propaganda and used the new media of radio and cinema to spectacular advantages. In elections Hitler was also the first politician to use airplanes to transport him quickly all over Germany a very effective campaign innovation.

Answer 4

Nazi Propaganda Devices:

Basics:
(1) Read up on Goebbles - the propaganda mastermind for the Nazi regime (note spelling!)

(2) As evidence to illustrate the answer in your essay, read up on the Nuremburg rallies and especially the work of filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl and her film depicting the fourth Nuremburg rally in 1934 - "Triumph of the Will". You can see clips on youtube.

(3) Look at propaganda photography (particularly of Hitler and prominent Nazis). What do they tell you? How did they use rural scenes, children, soldiers? Why?

Things that will get you a top marks answer (if you argue / use them properly):

(4) Research the Nazi use of classical imagery (pageants with teutonic knights in suits of armour etc) in an attempt to falsely show Nazism had a long heritage. Why?

(5) Research Nazi Party music - the Nazis composed anthems such "Der Fahne Hoch") to glorify Hitler and militarism. You can hear clips on youtube. What do these tunes make you think of?

Answer 5

Propaganda appeals to a target audience too lazy to formulate a sensible, well-researched opinion. Many only look at the news for entertainment value - not information value. Propaganda works the same way the follow the herd instincts work by targeting those with very simplistic thoughts and those who can't think for themselves.

Answer 6

Hitler was the mastermind. At a time of economic depression and political chaos he persuaded the major corporations and people with influence to back him in his bid for power.

Answer 7

Oh wow, this will be a very long answer!

You must first take into account the context of Germany before Hitler came to Power. Germany had just lost the 1st world war, which was ultimately a war of attrition. This meant that the Germans had basically been starved out. The people were poor, half their men were dead and their king had fled. Their economy had collapsed, but still they were made to pay reparations to the allies, they had lost a large number of territories, some, like the polish corridor, left part of germany stranded in another country.

Furthermore, the country was then open to many parties and there were many left wing uprisings (notably the spartacists in 1919). When the situation in a country is very bad, people are more open to extreme politics. So the Communist party did very well and so did the social democrats.

The nazis started small (hitler wasn't the leader at the start but soon became the leader), and they tried to organise a putsch in 1923 which failed. While e was in prison, Hitler used the oppurtunity in court etc and his imprisonment to write "mein Kampf" and voice his extreme right wing ideas. The thing is, his policies at that time did sound very attractive to many Germans who felt Germany had been humiliated and let down by the treaty of Versaille. Hitler promised to undo the treaty of versaille, make a german empire that would last a thousand years etc. Also, their hatred of the jews was a common sentiment at that time. Hitler also promised a return to the old Germany. This was attractive as the current one had fallen to ruins. Hitler gained support from many of the rich and right wing in Germany who were scared that Germany would turn communist.

After he was released, Hitler organised the Nazi party: he split the country into gaus (areas) and placed and office and a gauliter (person in charge of a gau) in every gau. Tis meant that they were integrated and accessible. He created the SS and the SA were used as brutes. They would go around and bully the left wing party, having many fights in the streets. By causing violence in the streets, Hitler also created the impression that the country was unstable and needed the Nazi party.

Also, The nazi party gained power through being elected. (this was due to a number of reasons, they were popular but they also managed to get the communist party banned before an election and the von papen panicked when the nazis were becoming more popular and asked hitler to be chancellor- i can't go into detail on how hitler became chancellor, this answer'll be way too long!) This gave them an air of legitimacy.

Propaganda was important, yes. And during their rise, the nazis gained the support and help of many rich germans who let them use their planes and media, which meant that the nazis were able to create a great propaganda machine. Hitler flew around the country on a plane and was able to be publicised as a leader on wings, constantly watching over is people. Joseph Goebbels was in charge of propaganda. Also, they used subliminal messages in film. There would be a millisecond flicker of an image. The audience would not know it happened but it would have helped to indoctrinate them. For example, there'll be a film of a jew, then a flicker to a picture of a rat, but so quick the audience would not know it happened, but after watching the film, they will associate jews with rats. The nazis also had a youth system called the hitler youth which would indoctrinate children from a young age to the nazi psyche.

There were also matters out of the Nazis' control that helped them to come to power. for example, support for the Nazi party fell as Germany began to do well in the Stresesman era when Streseman curbed inflation and got them into the league of nations. However, after the wall street crash in 1929, the country was poor again and support for the Nazis grew.

Therefore, it wasn't just propaganda but a large number of things that enabled hitler to come to power.

Also, if in fact you are referring to the anti-semitic feelings, these were not extreme at the start. The nazis did make it clear that they did not like jews, but they did not start their political campaign with the holocaust in their maifesto! In fact, political action against the jews was gradual and the holocaust was kept secret from the people during the war. most germans had no idea that the jews were being killed in extermination camps, although they knew of concentration camps and the general bad treatment of the jews.

Also, Hitler did live up to many of his promises, he did get Germany to stop paying war reparations, he remilitarised the rhineland, unemployment dropped to almost nothing, industry and economy was rebulit, the party made the Volkswagen and the autobahn etc etc. So, because Hitler was making Germany stronger and fulfilling his promises, the people were more willing to listen to him.

It must also be added that you cannot blame just hitler for everything. Many of his ideas and policies were a result of ministerial action. Many scholars believe that Hitler was on a rant and Himmler or another one of his ministers thought up the holocaust.

Answer 8

well, no master mind actually.
between the two world wars Germany's economy was stagnant, inflation was soaring and the people were living in miserable conditions.
jews at the time were holding most positions of power, prestige, money.
Hitler used all this to instigate the people; the masses were disillusioned and Hitler was a charismatic leader. it was situational, really, if Germany had been in a good condition, Hitler may have been locked in an asylum.

Answer 9

The great depression of the 1930's created an atmosphere of unrest and unhappiness among the German people. This made it possible for the Nazi party to gain popularity. Hitler played to the dissatisfaction of the Germans with a message of national pride. Also he was a good public speaker.

Answer 10

Propaganda! Use the right words and you've got it! Hit the people in the right place, their families (keeping them safe) and fill them with hate for others! A lot of people believe what they read! We still do it now! And at times we cant be told any different! Whats written down is gospel in some peoples eyes!