German People's Experience of Propaganda

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Who controlled German Propaganda?

Hitler was very aware of the value of good propaganda and he appointed Joseph Goebbels as head of propaganda.
His official title was Minister of Propaganda and National Enlightenment.
As Minister of Enlightenment, Goebbels had two main tasks:

To ensure nobody in Germany could read or see anything that was hostile or damaging to the Nazi Party.
To ensure that the views of the Nazis were put across in the most persuasive manner possible.

What was German propagandas main aim?

To ensure that everybody thought in the correct manner, deemed by Hitler.

How was this achieved?

Goebbels set up the Reich Chamber of Commerce in 1933. This organisation dealt with the censorship of literature, art, music, radio, film, newspapers etc.
To produce anything that was in these groups, you had to be a member of the Reich Chamber and the Nazi Party decided if you had the right credentials to be a member.
Any person who was not admitted was not allowed to have any work published or performed.

German propaganda also:

Encouraged people to vote for Hitler.
Aided in the recruitment of various forces.
Encouraged various methods of security.

A quote that sums up Goebbels view on propaganda:

"The essence of propaganda consists in winning people over to an idea so sincerely, so vitally, that in the end they succumb to it utterly and can never escape from it."

Some examples of German recruitment posters

As you can see all show a very poignant picture of a soldier and the use of 'dein beruf' (your job) as an almost imperative shows how German males were so strongly encouraged to enlist.

Security within Germany

Another main aim of propaganda was to ensure the safety of Germany and its people and the main theme of most of the security posters was making sure Germany's secrets were kept.

As you can see these posters take on a much more conspiratorial approach than that of the defiant pose of the soldier in the recruitment posters.

Children and Propaganda

Hitler believed very strongly in creating a new master race of Germans, so children were a main priority. Propaganda was used to an almost brainwashing affect to make the children believe in his methods by way of an 'innocent' cartoon.

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Page last updated: 25th February 2014