History Project Proposal

Topic- Propaganda during Hitler’s rule

Research Question- How propaganda played a role in gaining Nazi

support?

Argument- The Nazis primarily focused on increasing their

membership through advertising the party legitimately. They did this
through simple and effective propaganda. For example, the Nazi’s main
propaganda tool was ‘Mein Kampf’- Hitler’s autobiography that
illustrated his political ideology and plans to make Germany a great
power again.

Background- Propaganda will be showcased through two mediums-

History and Media.

History-
Nazi propaganda promoted Nazi ideology by demonizing the enemies of
the Nazi Party, notably Jews, and communists, but also capitalists
and intellectuals. Propaganda was also used to maintain the cult of
personality around Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and to promote campaigns
for eugenics and the annexation of German-speaking areas. This
research aims to talk about the themes, foreign policy goals, and Anti-
Jewish sentiments spoken about in ‘Mein Kampf'. The role of the
Ministry of Propaganda which was headed by Joseph Goebbels will also
be highlighted as it controlled the content of the press, literature, visual
arts, film, theatre, film, music, and radio in Nazi Germany.

Media-
Posters- Poster art was a mainstay of the Nazi propaganda effort, aimed
both at Germany itself and occupied territories. It had several
advantages. The visual effect, being striking, would reach the viewer
easily. Posters were also, unlike other forms of propaganda, difficult to
avoid. The posters were placed in train cars, buses, platforms, ticket
windows – anywhere there was dense traffic flow. Very few individuals,
at the time, owned a car, most biked, walked, or used public
transportation daily. Exposure to the Word of the Week posters was high
in German cities. The messages and Nazi ideologies "stared out at the
mass public for a week at a time in tens of thousands of places German
pedestrians were likely to pass in the course of a day".

Approach to Topic/Research- Nazi Germany has been a long-

withstanding topic of study since Grade 11. The reason for choosing this
topic is to highlight the methods used to manipulate the people into
believing that Jews were the cause of all their difficulties.
Posters/newspapers/advertisements will be the research methodology
used.

Timeline- submit the proposal for review. Make any changes required.
Submit the first draft on 29th May. Make any changes for the next two
months and submit the final thesis sometime in August.

Sources-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Themes_in_Nazi_propaganda
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda_in_Nazi_Germany
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/nazi-propaganda
https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1011&context=younghistorians

Conclusion-
The use of propaganda in Germany affected its rise as a powerful state.
Hitler’s early work as a creator of propaganda made him realize how
important it was to become a leader, and the way he spoke instilled
reverence in all who heard him. The creation of a propaganda ministry
further influenced society in Germany, as every aspect of their culture
was infiltrated with Nazi propaganda including film, radio, and
advertisements.