n : information that is spread for the purpose of promoting some cause In WWII, propaganda was used more very frequently, by all nations involved in the war. With new technological inventions such as photography, radio and film, manipulative messages bombarded every day life in an attempt to persuade a person to believe in a specific cause.
1 Since the beginning of the War, the Reichspropagandaleitung has produced: more than 2 million brochures more than 7 million posters more than 60 million newspapers, wall posters, leaflets, etc. It carried out: about 30,000 slide shows about 45,000 film evenings every month about 200,000 meetings and public or factory mass meetings
The Nazi racist ideas were clear as early as 1925 when Hitler recorded his ravings in Mein Kampf (My Struggle).
2 In Mein Kampf, Hitler maintained that the Jews were everywhere, controlled everything, and acted secretly behind the scenes to harm the people of Germany.
He said that German Jews were different from and inferior to German Christians and referred to physical differences between the blond haired, blue-eyed "Aryans" and the dark- haired, swarthy Jews.
3 Other groups such as the "Gypsies" and Africans were also inferior according to Hitler. He played on fears that Germans would one day be outnumbered by the "inferior peoples."
Nazi pseudo-science and pseudo-history proclaimed the "Aryan race" to be the superior, culture producing race. Of the Aryans, the fair Nordic type was considered best.
German Propaganda Poster for the Hitler Youth Organization
4 Hitler understood propaganda well. He said simplification and repetition were the key to persuading the masses. In German propaganda you see complex ideas turned into simple easily remembered slogans which were repeated again and again until they entered the unconscious of the German people. “One people, one government, one leader!"
By 1939, about 90% of the "Aryan" children in Germany belonged to Nazi youth groups. A massive propaganda campaign was aimed at Germany's youth. The Nazis indoctrinated boys and girls in their duties to the state from a young age. They saw education as critical to the new Germany.
5 “All girls join us" "Youth serves the Fuhrer. All ten-year- olds join the Hitler Youth."
Religion in Propaganda
Religion can be a very powerful and persuasive tool used for propaganda. Examine the following pictures and think about how each country portrays God on their side. No One Shall Go Hungry -The Winter Aid (Winterhilfswerk ) was the Nazi Party charity. Each year there was a drive to solicit donations to help the needy. Contributions were not entirely "voluntary." The text translates as: "No one shall go hungry! No one shall be cold!“ Does anything seem religious about this?
6 Religion This poster makes the most direct Christological comparison I've seen. Just as a dove descended on Christ when he was baptized by John the Baptist, so what looks to be an eagle hovers against the light of heaven over an idealized Hitler. The text: "Long live Germany!."
Interesting how every side says God is on their side. In Germany, Hitler is shown ordained by God, but in America, the portrayal is quite different. Who is right?
7 Italian Contrast Religion - An Italian poster from World War II using the image of Jesus to elicit support for the fascist cause from the largely Catholic population. The portrayal of an African- American US Army soldier desecrating a church fosters racist sentiment.
Simple – Meant to be easily remembered, notice how short the slogan is. Middle has religious parallels. They’re doing the salute to Hilter, but it seems as though they’re saluting “The Light” or “Truth” or even God, connecting Hitler with God or, at least ordained by God.
8 Hitler is Building The caption: "Hitler is building. Help him. Buy German goods." How does this person reflect German values? Facial Expression/Structure? Body Composition? Aryan race?
During the late years of the war, the Nazi’s propaganda becomes more desperate and aggressive. This is when the Concentration Camps become Death Camps. Jews were specifically targeted early on, but the Holocaust expanded more and more as the war waged on.
Movie Against Jews - This 1940 poster advertises the worst of the Nazi anti-Semitic films, "The Eternal Jew."
9 The film The Eternal Jew was created to justify the separation, exclusion, and ultimately the destruction, of the Jewish people. The narrator describes the Jews of Poland as filthy, sly and ugly and juxtaposes images of Jews with rats. The goal of propaganda is ultimately action. What does one do to rats? Exterminate them. This was the unstated message of the hate film.
Poster From the Nazi Anti-Semitic Hate Film, The Eternal Jew
"Wherever rats turn up, they spread annihilation throughout the land, destroying property and food supplies. This is how they disseminate disease. Pestilence, leprosy, typhus, cholera, dysentery. Just like the Jews among mankind, rats represent the very essence of malicious and subterranean destruction.“ – From the script of The Eternal Jew
10 Beginning early on in the war and continuing until its end, countries used propaganda to persuade young men to join the military. The various forms of propaganda glorified the war effort and used short catchy phrases that were easy to understand and hard to forget. Why?
United States – Uncle Sam: I Russia – Look Want You! familiar?
11 Britain – Join your country’s army…God save the King.
Germany - This is an SS recruiting poster. I'm not sure of the date. It says one can join at 18, and sign up for shorter or longer periods of service. It gives the address of the recruiting office in Munich.
Germany - This looks to be a late- war recruiting poster for the SS, a time at which the Nazis were recruiting younger and younger soldiers. The caption doesn't translate directly, but means: "Enlist now!"
12 Artist: McClelland Barclay Year: 1942 For: Navy Recruiting Bureau
Artist: Unknown Year: Unknown For: Unknown
13 Artist: Vanderlaan Year: Unknown For: Douglas Aircraft Company
Artist: J. Howard Miller Year: 1943 For: War Production Co- coordinating Committee
Of all the images of working women during World War II, the image of women in factories predominates. Rosie the Riveter--the strong, competent woman dressed in overalls and bandanna--was introduced as a symbol of patriotic womanhood. The accoutrements of war work--uniforms, tools, and lunch pails--were incorporated into the revised image of the feminine ideal.
14 Artist: Unknown Year: Unknown For: Unknown
Artist: Unknown Year: Unknown For: Unknown
Concerns about national security intensify in wartime. During World War II, the Government “warned” citizens to the presence of enemy spies and saboteurs lurking just below the surface of American society. "Careless talk" posters warned people that small snippets of information regarding troop movements or other logistical details would be useful to the enemy. Well-meaning citizens could supposedly compromise national security and soldiers` safety with careless talk.
15 Artist: Siebel Year: 1942 For: Unknown
Artist: Glenn Grothe Year: 1942 For: Unknown
16 Produced by the General Motors Corporation, 1942 NARA Still Picture Branch
17 by Lawrence B. Smith, 1942
Produced for the Government Printing Office for the U.S. Treasury
18