Aims of Propaganda

The main aims of Nazi propaganda were to establish coordination between the government and the population, to abolish resistance, and to encourage people to support them. Goebbels wanted to spiritually mobilize the German people.

Propaganda Methods

Goebbels oversaw the work of organizations covering the press, radio, film, literature, theatre, music, and arts through an entire propaganda ministry. He had enormous power over German cultural life. They limited newspapers, censored articles, and the circulation of conformist newspapers declined. They used radio broadcasts to give Hitler the opportunity to talk directly to the German people, mass-produced cheap radios so that all Germans could access them, and dismissed many people working in radio to bring it under the control of the Reich. They used film and cinema as a key propaganda medium, and Goebbels personally approved every film made in Germany after 1933. All films contained political messages to some extent. Parades and spectacles were put on, and the theatre of these rituals was proof that German people were behind the regime. There were other forms of propaganda, as Hitler believed the arts were an expression of race, and only Aryan art was worthy. This was followed by a book burning in Berlin in 1933 of un-German books written by Jews or Marxists.

Effectiveness of Propaganda

The Nazi regime placed great emphasis on the effort to indoctrinate the German population. Hitler and Goebbels were skilled propagandists, but it is difficult to gauge the success of their skills as it was total indoctrination. It was more successful when aimed at the young, whose opinions were not fully formed. Where Nazi propaganda was aimed at deeply held beliefs, such as religion, it was less successful.

Hitler Myth

Nazi propaganda depicted Hitler as both a charismatic superman and a man of the people. A veritable industry of paintings and posters showed Hitler in a familiar ‘renaissance pose’, alongside the propaganda slogan: Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer (‘One People, One Nation, One Leader’). The slogan was used to great effect in 1938, with the Anschluss (‘union’), when Germany joined in union with Austria. In 1941, Goebbels claimed that the Hitler Myth had been his greatest achievement. The Hitler Myth helped to sustain the regime in power, masking its failings and inconsistencies.

Extent of Totalitarianism

Through Gleischaltung, the Nazis set out to coordinate every aspect of individual and family life under Party control. They exercised control over everything, including information, education, newspapers, propaganda, and censorship. There were some pockets of resistance and non-conformity, but the fear of punishment deterred any open defiance.

Who was Nazi propaganda most successful on?

Young people

What was the Hitler Myth?

Nazi propaganda depicting Hitler as both a charismatic superman and a man of the people.

To what extent did the Nazis have full control?

Almost total - there were some pockets of resistance and non-conformity, but the fear of punishment deterred any open defiance.