L08 - Three Documents - Hitler and the Nazis Flashcards
What was the purpose of the Reich Ministry of Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda, according to Goebbels?
The ministry was created to serve as a link between the regime and the people, ensuring coordination and “living contact” between the government and the population.
What does Goebbels say about propaganda’s purpose?
Propaganda is not an end in itself but a means to achieve the goal of mobilizing and uniting people under the ideals of the national revolution.
How does Goebbels describe the new government’s approach to the people?
He claims the government is a “people’s government” that arose from the people and executes their will, aiming to give people their due but in a different form than parliamentary democracy.
How does Goebbels justify the effectiveness of Nazi propaganda?
He argues that propaganda methods are successful if they achieve their goal of mobilizing and uniting the population, regardless of whether they meet aesthetic standards.
What is Goebbels’ stance on gaining support from the opposition?
He states the goal is not just neutralizing opposition but working to win over and ideologically convert the remaining 48% of the population who do not support the regime.
What does Goebbels say about modernity and technology in propaganda?
Propaganda must stay modern and up-to-date, ensuring the Reich keeps pace with technological advancements, as only the latest tools are sufficient.
How does Goebbels define the role of leaders in propaganda?
Leaders must act as “modern princes of the people,” understanding the masses and effectively communicating what the people need to understand.
What does Goebbels emphasize about the centralization of propaganda?
All propaganda and public information must be centralized under one authority to ensure unity and effective communication.
How does Goebbels refute claims that the Nazi government is reactionary?
He passionately denies the label of reactionary, emphasizing that the government’s aim is revolutionary and modern, aligning with the will of the people.
According to Goebbels, how should propaganda interact with the masses?
Propaganda should not slavishly follow public opinion but guide the masses toward understanding and supporting the regime’s goals.
Who was Hermann Führbach, and what organizations did he belong to?
Hermann Führbach was a German laborer, member of the Nazi Party (NSDAP), and Sturmabteilung (SA).
How did Führbach’s early experiences during World War I influence him?
As a boy, Führbach was swept up in the patriotism of the era, carrying bags and guns of German soldiers heading to war.
What event from the post-World War I revolution left a strong impression on Führbach?
Führbach felt particular disgrace when Red revolutionaries ripped off officers’ epaulettes in front of him at school.
How did Führbach encounter Marxism during his apprenticeship?
While working at the Thyssen Company, Führbach experienced class struggle, as Marxists tore off his nationalist rosette and pressured him to join a syndicalist union.
What was Führbach’s response to Marxist pressure at work?
He applied for membership in the German Metal Workers’ Union but later quit and joined the German Eagle defense league in 1923.
What significant event occurred for Führbach on July 4, 1926?
Führbach took the oath on the flag before Adolf Hitler, becoming the first man in Mülheim to do so.
What activities did Führbach engage in during the French occupation of the Ruhr in 1923?
Führbach worked with the German Eagle to gather intelligence on French troop strength and equipment.
How did Führbach describe the determination of Nazi members despite opposition?
Führbach stated that persecution only strengthened their resolve to spread Hitler’s ideas and win the unity of the German people.
When did Führbach join the Nazi Party, and who founded the local group?
Führbach joined the Nazi Party in 1925 after Dr. Joseph Goebbels founded the local group in Mülheim-Ruhr.
How did Führbach and other Nazis interact with Communists and Marxists?
They actively infiltrated Communist and Marxist ranks, converting some of their members to the Nazi cause.
What challenges did Führbach and other Nazis face in their early activities?
They faced persecution, were insulted as “Nazi kids” and “pagans,” and dealt with police beatings, imprisonment, and violence from Communists.
What opposition did the Nazis face from the Centre Party and the Catholic Church?
The Centre Party fought them bitterly, and Catholic priests denied church funerals to dead Nazi comrades and forbade uniformed Nazis from entering churches.
What did Führbach believe was the ideological basis of the Nazi Party?
Führbach claimed that the Nazi Party’s foundation was Christian, despite opposition from the Catholic Church.
When did Adolf Hitler deliver his radio address outlining his vision for Germany’s future?
Hitler delivered the speech on February 1, 1933, two days after being appointed Chancellor of Germany.
How did Hitler describe the 14 years following World War I?
He called it a period of betrayal, loss of honor and freedom, and disunity among the German people due to ideological and political conflicts.
What economic and social conditions did Hitler highlight in his speech?
Hitler described widespread unemployment, the pauperization of the middle class and artisans, and the struggles of German farmers.
What did Hitler claim would happen if Bolshevism (Communism) took over Germany?
He warned it would lead to chaos, destruction of German civilization, and the collapse of Europe’s cultural heritage.
What did Hitler blame for Germany’s political and economic collapse after World War I?
He blamed internal discord, ideological divisions, and the Treaty of Versailles, which he said destroyed trust between nations.
How did Hitler characterize the Communist ideology?
He called it a “negative, totally destructive ideology” that attacked family, honor, loyalty, and traditional morals and faith.
What appeal did President Paul von Hindenburg make to the nationalist parties?
Hindenburg urged nationalist leaders to unite for the salvation of the Reich, as they once fought together in World War I.
What was the National Government’s “first and supreme task,” according to Hitler?
To restore the unity of mind and will of the German people.
How did Hitler define the National Government’s moral and cultural foundation?
He stated it would protect Christianity as the basis of morality and the family as the nucleus of the nation.
What goals did Hitler set for German youth in his vision?
To instill respect for Germany’s great past and pride in its traditions.
What two major tasks did Hitler propose in his Four-Year Plan?
1.Save the German farmer to secure the nation’s food supply.
2.Overcome unemployment through a comprehensive effort.
How did Hitler criticize the Marxist parties for their governance over the previous 14 years?
He accused them of creating economic ruin, unemployment, and societal collapse, calling the result “a heap of ruins.”
What promise did Hitler make to the German people in his speech?
He pledged to lead Germany to recovery and asked for four years to prove his government’s effectiveness.
What role did Hitler say faith and divine favor would play in Germany’s recovery?
He appealed for God’s blessing on their work and trust from the German people, emphasizing their mission was for Germany, not personal gain.
