Nazi Propaganda and Censorship

• Ideas and messages (spread by Nazis)

  -Strong Germans in a united Germany

  -Superiority of the Aryan race

  -Anti-semitic messages

  -Evils of communism

  -Power of the Nazi Party

  -Hitler as a strong leader
• How did the Nazis use propaganda and censoship: The Press


  Newspapers flourished but, journalists were somtimes effected by censorship. Often given regular briefings, containing info the gov was willing to release, sometimes direct instructions on what to write, propaganda. Newspapers who refused Nazi views closed down. 1600 newspapers closed down in 1935 alone, no real free press
• How did Nazis use Propaganda and Censorship: Radio

  1920s and early 1930s, Goebbels started using radio in Nazi election campaigns. After 1933 he censored radio stations and used them for propaganda: all radio stations put under Nazi control, Hitler and other Nazi officials made frequent broadcasts, cheap mass produced radios were sold to the public, placed in cafes factories schools and speakers in streets. 1939, 70% of German homes had a radio. All radios had to have a short range so they couldnt pick up foreign stations
• How did the Nazis use propaganda and censorship: Rallies

  Goebbels used mass rallies in 1920s and 30s for elections. He had the entire resources of the German state, so made Nazi rallies and parades more frequent. Eg mass rally held at Nuremburg each year, sense of German unity and strength of Nazis. 1934- Nuremburg rally, stadium had a giant eagle with a 100ft wing spread, 1000s of swastika banners. Surrounded by 130 anti aircraft seatchlights with a range of 25,000ft shining into the sky, forming walls of light around crowd of 200,000 party supporters waving 20,000 flags
• How did the Nazis use Propaganda and Censorship: Sport

  Goebbels used sport to increase support for Nazis, Nazifying Sport meant: -covering sports stadiums with Nazi symbols, links sports enthusiasm with Nazis. -all sports teams even visitors, made Nazi salut during German national anthem, shows support. -hailing sports victories as victories for Nazis. -During Berlin Olympics (1936) Germany won 33 medals, used for Nazi propaganda, stadium built fit for 110,000, was well organised
• How did Nazis use propaganda and censorship: Art

  1933, Reich Chamber of Culture (led by Goebbels). All paintees and sculptors had to apply to be members, 42000 were accepted. Anyone not accepted could not teach, create or sell art.

  1936, 12000 paintings and sculptures were removed from art galleries.
• How did Nazis use propaganda and censorship: Film

  Goebbels tried to make sure films supported Nazi ideas. Audiences of over 250 million in 1933, cinemas useful to promote Nazi ideas. Films in cinemas were preceeded by a 45 minute official newsree, publicising German achievements. Film makers had to send all new details of films to Goebbels for approval. Nazis also made 1300 film. Leni Reifenstahl, dancer, actress, film director, known for supporting Nazis and propaganda
• How did Nazis use propaganda and censorship: Music and architecture

  -Jazz was banned as it was associated with black people

  -Composers eg Wagner, Beethoven and Bach were favoured as traditional German music

  -Disliked the modernist Weimar architecture eg Bauhaus and preferred domes, arches and pillars.

  -Albert Speer became the main architect
• How did Nazis use propaganda and censorship: Books

  -Books and plays had to praise Hitler and the Nazis. No new books could be written without approval from the Chamber of Culture (ran by Goebbels)

  -Books written by Jews, Communists or anti-Nazis were banned

  -In 1933 students in Berlin had a mass bonfire of these types of books- burning over 20,000