How did the Nazis use propaganda to win the hearts and minds of the German people

Jews infiltrating Aryan society. Hitler preferred overt messages in film such as Der Ewige Jude 1940, depicting Jews as rats. Whereas Goebbels took a more subtle approach to please people through light entertainment, while using Nazi undertones. Other groups such as Communists and Blacks were also subjected to their hatred as they all threatened German well being. Xenophobia was an increased side effect from their campaign of intolerance.      Early 1933 Hitler set up a Propaganda Ministry headed by Dr Joseph Goebbels "to unite the nation behind the ideal of the national revolution." Hitler desired ultimate control over the media, which included newspapers, magazines, books, public meetings and rallies, art, music, movies, and radio. It is argued that modern technology was crucial to spread Nazi messages. The new medium of radio meant improvements in microphones, loudspeakers and film production enabling sounds and images to become readily available to the masses.      As there was just one source of information, the German people eventually believed the continuous lies constantly emerging. Goebbels organised printing millions of copies of special editions of Nazi newspapers. Non-Nazi newspapers were taken over by a Nazi publishing company. Over two thirds of the press were now under Nazi control. This policy of Gleichschaltung made it difficult to resist the promotion of national pride after years of hardship and loss.      On May 10, 1933, the Nazis raided libraries and bookstores across Germany. They marched in the night in parades, chanting, and throwing books into huge bonfires. On that night more than 25,000 books were burned. Some were works of Jewish writers, including Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud but most of the books were by non-Jewish writers whose ideas the Nazis viewed as non-conformist therefore not to be read. However, while some books were removed from classrooms through censorship, other newly written textbooks, were brought in to teach students blind obedience to Hitler and his aims.     The 1936 Olympic Games helped showcase the might of the regime. With their superior German athletes and the entire Nazi organisation on display, it was Hitler's chance to exhibit German supremacy. It fostered a sense of national pride in the successes of the Nazi regime.  In addition, several sporting activities were being organised by Hitler Youth as it was seen as vital to develop the health of the future soldiers and child-bearers. It demonstrated discipline and motivation.     Schools and youth groups were used by the Nazis to achieve their aims from starting early. These two major institutions were used to train up impressionable individuals to mould for the Volksgemeinschaft. Their parents were adhering to the regime so were willing to volunteer their offspring. Hitler did achieve his wish for indoctrinating an entire generation to his way of thinking, yet their intellect lacked hope for future leaders of society. Hitler Youth set up in 1926 focused on offering fun and adventure to the young as it organised an array of activities ranging from camps to sport and military training. As it became more popular, the compulsory group became less successful as more emphasis was put on military training as opposed to leisure.      Greater energy was put towards a more physically based education and academic education was downgraded. Girls were taught to become good homemakers and boys, good military leaders.  From 1935 all textbooks had to be approved and eventually the Nazis realised the adverse effects of their education policy and strove to reverse its anti - intellectual stance. Overall, It failed as this tight regime made for outright rebellion and non-conformism materialising in the form of alternative youth groups such as the Edelweiss Pirates who became disillusioned by the Hitler Youth biased ideology.  It had resulted in a physically strong yet academically weak generation.      Local SA or Hitler youth groups campaigned for the support of Hitler and the Nazi party in after-school meetings of the Hitler Youth and the League of German Girls trained children to be faithful to the Nazi party. In school and out, young people celebrated such occasions as Adolf Hitler's birthday and the anniversary of his taking power. Hitler's 'Fuhrer over Germany election campaign' 1932 demonstrated unwavering interest in the party and industriousness as he was ready to travel to mass rallies across Germany. These rallies were carefully organised that it left audiences "hysterical". They increased commitment as Hitler "uttered with rare energy and charisma" arousing the masses, compelling non-participants to become involved. Hitler could relate his ideas simply but effectively. Ultimately, it heightened the Nazi's visibility, uniting thousands, hence transpiring further support to a fascist nation, as the allegiance towards other groups lessened.     As much as the Nazis controlled the media, Hitler wanted to cement their teachings in Germany's infrastructure. Autobahns were the concrete expression of Germany's unity. Despite only 1 in 4 German's possessing a car, these 'superhighways' reflected the strength of the nation, all working together for one cause. Through the Reich Chamber of Culture, the Nazis saw this as a fundamental way of conveying their values and Hitler's artistic background made it especially significant. The Nazis took control of paintings, sculptures deeming some as Great German Art and others as Degenerate for non - conformism to Nazi ideology.  Sculptures adorned public buildings depicting perfect but lifeless body shapes of biologically pure Aryans with physical perfection.  Best artists were exiled, forced to stop painting or joined the Culture Chamber producing lifeless art to order. They took hold of architecture, erecting neo-classical buildings describing them as "the word in stone" to represent a 1000 year Reich, displaying incomparable dominance through a variety of modernist and traditional designs. Weimar literature, theatre and musical experimentation were eradicated and historical dramas of the 'blood and soil' belief were encouraged.  All previous art forms were denounced as internationalist, cosmopolitan, Marxist, Jewish or 'Negroid'. Contemporaries saw the control of art as essential as it would "enhance their authority".  The Aryan Germanic culture was now in place and the German people were left with reinforced enthusiasm for strong leadership as their country had dwindled over the preceding 15 years in every aspect. Order had been restored.       In conclusion, Hitler won the hearts and minds of the German people through penetrating every sphere of German life. He infiltrated all essential organisations and thus managed to procure a willing nation to back his principles of National Socialism. The German people desired an impressive regime to provide them with focus and direction and the anti-Semitic and anti-Marxist policies gave them an excuse to justify all their pre-existing troubles. In retrospect, many will realise how they were swept into a vacuum of myths and falsehoods but at the time, it seemed better to believe this revolutionary government's ideas. It was better than the alternative option of non-conforming as it was evident that the nation's interests were adhered so it became unnecessary to dispute. It could still be argued as to whether it was Nazi instilled fear which forced the German people to comply, as they battled denial of the harsh reality around them or they simple became caught up in Hitler's manipulative game which seemed to act as the saviour to their troubles.By Mariella de Souza 12EAS. Later, as word of Nazi genocide spread to Allied nations, the Nazis used propaganda for a very different reason: to cover up atrocities. The Nazis forced concentration camp prisoners to send postcards home, stating that they were treated well and living in good conditions. In June 1944, the Nazis permitted an International Red Cross team to inspect the Theresienstadt ghetto in the former Czechoslovakia. In preparation for the visit, the ghetto underwent a beautification program. In the wake of the inspection, the Nazis produced a film using ghetto residents to show the benevolent treatment Jews supposedly received in Theresienstadt. When the film was completed, almost the entire "cast" was deported to the Auschwitz extermination camp. force to be reckoned with.