German Propaganda and its Effects on the Holocaust and World War Two

Propaganda is hard to define as most definitions do not cover the full meaning of the word. The Webster's Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary defines propaganda as " the systematic propagation or discrediting of a given doctrine or cause by circulation of polemical material, such as posters and leaflets" (1353). However, this definition does not cover the full scope of the of the word. Terence Qualter also feels the definition for propaganda needs to be more refined for its new usage. The definition that he gives is "the deliberate attempt...(to) form, control, or alter the attitudes of other groups...(with) the use of the instruments of communication" (27-28). He goes on to say that the propaganda must be aimed at the group in general because that is the basic nature of the word, in that the most effective propaganda is the propaganda which has a large audience. Qualter does mention, however, that there need be no difference in the propaganda to persuade one and the propaganda to persuade the many (28). Germany did this by controlling the flow of information into the country.

Propaganda is the use of techniques to easily sway or mislead individuals. It is campaigning and convincing people with what is trying to be advertised. The word propaganda came into use in 1914 during the end of WWl but the use of propaganda actually started a very long time ago, but the term propaganda wasn’t used, there was no name for it. Propaganda is a language of power by spreading false information, shaping society’s opinion, and being able to control people.

Propaganda has many different definitions and interpretations, depending on who you ask. When the word was first created it referred to the “reproduction of plants and animals” (Fellows pg 182), gradually became used as a religious term, from the 1600s until it was rebranded to be used for military purposes during World War II. The current definition of propaganda has changed quite a bit since the origin of the word. Michael Parenti for example said that propaganda is “the mobilization to influence the mass audience.” Another quote we heard in class defining propaganda was “the deliberate attempt of a few to influence the many to manipulate the facts” (K.Khory). While there is no conscience definition of propaganda especially because the definition has changed over time, it is generally agreed on that it includes some from of influence to the public.

Much of this propaganda was modeled off of earlier English examples. For example, the World War One anti-German propaganda. One of the false messages spread

During WWII, governments engaged in a constant struggle for the hearts and minds of the public. Propaganda was a technique utilized to spread information and ideas to help the nation through songs, posters, videos, and other social media methods. According to the article, “Propaganda Posters of WWII,” the U.S. government intended to use propaganda to recruit, unify, and support the war effort. The government needed something to ignite the citizen’s patriotic feelings in the war, thus using the most effective tool: propaganda. Although many viewed propaganda use by the government to be negative and manipulative, the Allied forces issued these images effectively to escalate patriotic core values. Thus encouraging

Propaganda was used to be prejudice against Jews;it was something that made them feel bad about themselves and their decisions. Jews were being treated with hostility because of the religion they were.

All ranks of Nazi officials played a significant part in the reign of propaganda that impacted the world. The creation of the “Final Solution” to annihilate the Jews and enemies of Europe was heavily culminated with propaganda efforts to keep death camps hidden from the view of media outlets globally. Originally this plan was to systematically remove the Jews, then with the establishment of ghettos and mobile killing units, SS Officers, German authorities and their collaborators were able to kill upwards of six million Jews. This was impactful on the society with almost two-thirds of the Jews in Europe killed by poison gas, shooting and other means.

When you usually hear the word ‘Propaganda’ negative thoughts may come to your mind. Actually, propaganda is a form of communicating that is aimed at influencing the attitude toward a community. Usually it’s aimed towards some cause or position presenting only one side of an argument. It is also normally used and introduced in many various ways. Propaganda uses techniques and any means to persuade someone towards a certain way of thinking. It can be found in writing, music, and movies. The primary goal is to get their opinion warranted and capture the interest of the audience.

“Hitler’s Propaganda Machine” by Robert B. Nelson describes how the Nazi regime used a wide variety of propaganda to widely influence the German people to support Hitler’s dictatorship and furthermore, support the upcoming wars. After World War I occurred, Germany was to blame for the reparations caused from the war; they were in a great amount of debt which destroyed their economy. With this unfortunate situation occurring, Germans supported Hitler’s rise to power in hope to strengthen their economy and country. After Hitler’s rise to power, he put much effort into his Propaganda Machine in order to stabilize powers within the Nazi totalitarian regime. Almost all of Germany’s cultural aspects were influenced by propaganda tactics as well as the reference to anti-Semitism which blamed the Jews for all the troubles that Germany has faced.

Another way in which the Nazis used propaganda was by the media. They used the media to try and show a false truth as most people believe what people say on things such as radio and televisions etc. This was a very effect way of using propaganda as people would listen to it when doing activities at home. The people didn't have to even go outside their own homes in order to here Hitler and what he had to say. This made people go to see and see Hitler at his rallies and thus converting them into the Nazi

Propaganda is official government communications to the public that are designed to influence opinion1. Adolf Hitler used propaganda to aid his rise to power and become the leader of Nazi Germany. Hitler feared independent thought and sought to eliminate it through the use literature and radio propaganda, in order to eradicate possible ideological threats and to maintain control. One of the biggest sources of independent thought and ideas is literature, in all forms (books, newspapers, magazines). “During the spring of 1933, Nazi student organizations, professors, and librarians made up long lists of books they thought should not be read by Germans.

Propaganda is information used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view. For example, when someone is running for president you usually see their faces stamped on a poster with a catchy saying. Remember now? Yeah, that's propaganda. It’s everywhere! In books, newspapers and even in movies. Thousand of books all contained german propaganda, even the school books! In fact, a newspaper named Der Strümer claimed that Jews kidnapped small children and encouraged an attack on Jews. As crazy as it sounds the Germans began to believe that the Jews were truly monsters. In fact, many of us today blame the Germans for their awful treatment of Jews, but if we were put in their position we would do the same. Which was support our leader and get rid of the enemy besides it was everyone else was doing. It's time to climb into the shoes of the germans. If my powerful leader blamed a certain group of people for the distraught of my family, of my job, and of my country I would, of course, focus my hate and blame on them. Then imagine it, it's everywhere the hatred of that certain group of people, and it wasn't just Jews either it was a collection of people. Gypsies, Poles, twins, Slavic people, people of color, biracial people and people with physical or mental disabilities. Others were even Nazi victims because of what they did. These victims of the Nazi regime included Jehovah's Witnesses, homosexuals, Communists,

First, one must define propaganda and since many have done so already, I shall use the Sheryl Ross model. Her model defines propaganda as “an epistemically defective message designed with the intention to persuade a socially significant group of people on behalf of a political institution, organization, or cause.”

Propaganda was the central instrument acquiring and maintaining the power of Nazi Germany. All of the success can be attributed to propaganda. Propaganda is the information, ideas, opinions, or images that are broadcast, published, or in some other way spread with the intention of influencing public opinion. This was the most effective method the Nazis used to persuade thousands of people about their ideologies. Jewish people, African-Germans, LGBT people, Roma, and others were portrayed as undesirable by Nazi propaganda. It used newspaper cartoons, films, books, radio, and posters in their effort to dehumanize Jewish people. The purpose of Nazi propaganda was to convince members of the public who had not yet been convinced of the importance of Hitler's racial policies and to inspire those who already agreed with him. Words and expressions with generally neutral and/or positive meanings were used to disguise acts of terror and destruction. Nazi Germany could be never rich success without propaganda.

By thoroughly studying historical facts and evidence, it can be concluded that propaganda is the reason behind the widespread anti semitism in Germany that furthermore lead to the Holocaust occurrence. Propaganda is defined as “ideas that are spread, through various branches of media, for the purpose of influencing opinion.”(The) This is a term often used to refer to information that is constructed in favor of or in opposition to any type of political agenda. Though, this “agenda” wasn’t always of positive influence. During World War I, the public discovery was made that propaganda could be used as a very powerful weapon for shaping public judgment and actions. Propaganda became the significant weapon used by several powerful and influential governments. Some of these countries being Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, the U.S., Austria-Hungary, and Germany. The previously stated nations “employed people to craft political messages aimed at mobilizing their populations for war, weakening the enemy’s confidence and will to fight, and at winning over the audiences in neutral countries” (United). Hitler believed so strongly in this powerful weapon that he created a position in his new government titled the Minister of Propaganda and National Enlightenment.