WORLD WAR II

The Nazi Propaganda Machine

Question: How did Hitler use the media to indoctrinate his subjects
and strengthen his control over the German population?

Background: Once Hitler had solidified power in January 1933, he

imposed his Fascist and Anti-Semitic philosophies using propaganda.
Led by his radical disciple Joseph Goebbels, the Minister of
Propaganda, the Nazi machine infiltrated practically every aspect of
life in Nazi Germany. During his twelve years of rule (1933-45)
German citizens (and those in conquered territory) were told what to
say, what to believe, and what to think.

http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/gpa/

Objectives:

1. Go to the website listed above. It is an enormous site that contains material

pertaining to Hitler’s Third Reich. It is broken into nine segments. Before you
do any writing, take a look around and familiarize yourself with the different
parts of the site.
2. Examine items from the following segments:
a. 1 written work by Goebbels himself (an essay, speech, or other
document)
b. 2 written works of Anti-Semitism (speech, article, or other document)
c. 2 items of Nazi propaganda (any) – rallies, posters, uniforms, speeches,
etc.
3. For each of the five items you are to answer the following questions:
a. Who is the propagandist?
b. What is the specific aim of this propaganda? Who benefits from its use?
c. To what human interest, desires, or emotions is the appeal aimed at?
d. How does the author manipulate the facts to his or her benefit?
4. Pick ONE item from this website (ANYTHING that you see) that you feel is
the MOST POWERFUL piece of propaganda you have found. Print it out or
copy and paste it to a word document. Explain your decision in at least one
typed paragraph.

DUE NEXT CLASS (Tues 5/3 or Weds 5/4)