Censorship and Propaganda Flashcards
Who was in charge of propaganda for the Nazis?
Dr Joseph Goebbels
What was Goebbels’ title?
Minister for Enlightenment and Propaganda
What is the difference between censorship and propaganda?
Censorship is the suppression of news the Nazi regime does not like.
Propaganda is the active promotion of the Nazi regime.
What did Goebbels say about propaganda?
“The finest kind of propaganda does not reveal itself.”
How were newspapers censored?
- Non-Nazi newspapers were shut down
- Editors were told what they could print
Where did the Nazis hold their annual rally?
Nuremberg (in southern Germany)
Why were Nuremberg rallies effective propaganda?
They showed how strong, organised and disciplined the Nazi regime was AND gave people a sense of belonging
How were radios used to spread propaganda?
- All radios were placed under Nazi control
- Cheap, mass-produced radios were places in cafes and factories around Germany
Why did the radios placed around Germany have a short range?
So they could not pick up foreign stations (like the BBC World Service)
How big were cinema audiences in 1933?
Over 250 million
How were books censored?
No books could be published without Goebbels’ permission
What did Goebbels organise in 1933 (to do with books)?
A book burning
What kind of books were burned at the book burning?
Books by Jewish or Communist authors, or books that contained ideas unacceptable to the Nazi regime (e.g. All Quiet on the Western Front)
How were artists censored?
Only Nazi-approved artists could show their work (normally depicting the Aryan ideal)
How did the Nazis use the cinema for propaganda purposes?
All films had to carry a pro-Nazi message
How large were cinema audiences in 1933?
250 million in 1933
What was one of the most famous pro-Nazi films?
Hitlerjunge Quex (1933)
What was the plot of Hitlerjunge Quex (1933)?
The story of a boy who broke away from a Communist family to join the Hitler Youth, only to be murdered by Communists
What were all films accompanied by?
A 45 minute newsreel glorifying Hitler and Nazi achievements
Why did some Germans arrive late to the cinema?
To avoid having to sit through the pro-Nazi newsreel
What type of music was banned?
Jazz music
Why was jazz banned?
It was considered as ‘black music’ and therefore inferior
What did Goebbels say about ‘lies’ and ‘truth’?
“Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth”
