Social Impact of Hitler’s Ruling (Propaganda)

SOCIAL IMPACT

Propaganda

Some benefitted from Nazi rule, such as the unemployed who were given work. However, for others such as minorities, life was intolerable. Generally, though, all Germans lost a great deal of liberty.

• Although the Nazi Party was the largest political party in Germany when Hitler came to power, the majority of the people still did not support the Nazis.
• To secure their hold on power, the Nazis needed to both convince their supporters to continue supporting them, and win over more people to their point of view.
• Hitler was well aware of the importance of propaganda in achieving these aims.
• Hitler set up a Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda with Joseph Goebbels as its first minister.

Goebbels used every form of media to communicate the idea that Hitler was Germany’s ‘saviour’ and to make sure people were loyal to Nazi rule and beliefs.

• He used propaganda to appeal to deep-seated German desires for national unity and order.
• He convinced Germans that their future under the Nazis would be bright.
• Posters and portraits of Hitler were spread all throughout Germany.
• He also stirred up racist, particularly anti-Semitic, and also anti-communist feelings.

• As a result, there was a sharp increase in German nationalistic sentiments amongst the Germans.
• It also led to an increase in the popularity of the Nazis both from Germans in Germany as well as from ethnic Germans in other countries such as Czechoslovakia and Poland.

a) Nuremberg rallies

• Goebbels’ propaganda effort in the Nuremberg rallies clearly highlight display of German power
• The rallies took the form of huge rallies, marches, torch-lit processions and public meetings.
• They were designed to showcase Germany’s might and give Germans a sense of belonging.
• Goebbels’ relationship with Alfred Hugenberg, who owned Germany’s largest film company, the UFA, was very useful for the Nazis.
• Films were closely controlled and had to carry a pro-Nazi message.
• Goebbels also commissioned posters which glorified Nazi achievements & attacked opponents.