Nazi Propaganda Essay Example

At early ages, children were introduced to the idea that Jews are awful people “The thoughts, feelings, and actions of the Jew are presented as a contradiction and threat to German morality.” (Propaganda and Children) This is an authoritative statement of the idea Nazis wanted to spread across the world. The Nazi party was remarkably skilled at using propaganda to sway people to their side. Their main techniques of propaganda were repetitive images/phrases and bold color choices to sway people’s minds and choices ("Boycott of Jewish"). 

These pieces of propaganda were used as frequently as possible. Some of the images and pieces of propaganda that were most successful were aimed at children at young ages to influence the idea into their brain so it would stick with them as they grow up (Der Giftpliz). 

Nazi propaganda took the form of posters, signs, and advertisements in order to make a fine distinct line between Germans and Jews. 

Before the holocaust Jews were often used as a scapegoat; scapegoat means a group or person blamed for other’s mistakes. This has been happening to Jewish people centuries before the holocaust began. The holocaust started after World War I when Germany lost to France, Great Britain, and Russia. The people of Germany thought all hope was lost. They needed a leader, someone to look up to. Then appeared Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. Hitler was a soldier in World War I he was a strong man who had strong opinions. He was quickly elected. Hitler knew the effects of propaganda before the holocaust. In 1930 Hitler wrote a book called Mein Kampf meaning “My struggle”. He did not write this about any group he simply wrote about his thoughts in the world and on propaganda. (Hitler) Even with a brand new leader Germany was still stuck in debt and needed someone to pass the blame onto so they chose the easiest choice, Jews.

The Nazi group was very fond of using propaganda one of the types that they used is inclusionary propaganda. One of the inclusionary propaganda used was a magazine titled “The German Girl” this magazine was published in 1936. This was a magazine aimed at young girls. Cited (Das deutsche).

This piece of propaganda was made to influence young girls to raise the perfect Aryan family (Das Deutsche). This magazine used photos of lovely mothers with beautiful children. This created role models for the young girls and made them want to be just like them and raise a beautiful family of their own. This seems unharmful neverless Jews were stereotyped to look “ugly” with big noses and dark hair (Der Giftpliz) (even though jews were also German and often looked like them). So the Nazi party used this to create a dividing line between Germans and Jews and better enhance a stereotype. 

There was also a version for boys. The magazine was called “The German Boy”. The magazine’s goals were to influence young boys to become soldiers and eventually fight in the war (Der Pimpf).

 This wasn’t the only type of propaganda this is called inclusionary propaganda aimed at persuading the public. 

“Der Giftpliz” also known as “The Poisonous Mushroom” was a book made for kids however it was a piece of propaganda targeting Jews, it was very influential to young minds and put a strong stereotype on Jews. “The Poisonous Mushroom” was a book published in 1938. It was a piece of propaganda aimed at young children. (Der Giftpliz). This book was made to create a stereotype for Jews and make the youth know about it. It used bright colors and the familiar symbol known as the Star of David (Der Giftpliz). The story often talked about overweight Jewish men with big noses and black hair trying to abduct children. This made kids terrified of all Jewish people and was a very influential piece of propaganda. (Der Giftpliz). 

There is a famous quote about propaganda by Eric Hoffer “Propaganda does not deceive people; it merely helps them to deceive themselves”. This quote is expressing that propaganda makes people second guess themselves and makes their minds think that anything stated is true. I agree and disagree with this statement propaganda. Propaganda still deceives people but it also helps people second guess themselves and changes their opinions.  During this unit, we learned a lot about propaganda and that is why I think both. Propaganda often tells people what to think and they are obligated to think that. At the same time people it deceived people and often made them second guess their opinions.

 Nazi propaganda took the form of posters, signs, and advertisements in order to make a fine distinct line between Germans and Jews. Inclusionary propaganda mostly used beautiful “role models” (Das Deutsche) and created a high standard for people to follow and reach. While exclusionary promotes the stereotype that all Jewish people are awful and are going to ruin people’s daily lives. The Nazi party was very successful in reaching their goal of eliminating the jews and they couldn’t have reached that goal without the precise techniques of propaganda.

Works Cited

"Boycott of Jewish Businesses." Holocaust Encyclopedia, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 2021, encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/boycott-of-jewish-businesses. Accessed 18 Feb. 2021.

Das deutsche Mädel. 1936. Calvin University, research.calvin.edu/german-propaganda-archive/maedel.htm. Accessed 11 Feb. 2021. Accessed via Midwest Center for Holocaust Education

Der Pimpf. Apr. 1937. Calvin University, research.calvin.edu/german-propaganda-archive/pimpf.htm. Accessed 11 Feb. 2021. Accessed via Midwest Center for Holocaust Education

Hitler, Adolf. "Volume I, Chapter VI: War Propaganda." Mein Kampf, 1925. Midwest Center of Holocaust Education, mchekc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ExcerptsPropagandaMeinKampf.pdf?x24943. Accessed 11 Feb. 2021.

The Poisonous Mushroom. 1938. Calvin University, research.calvin.edu/german-propaganda-archive/thumb.htm. Accessed 11 Feb. 2021. accessed via Midwest center of holocaust education

"Propaganda and Children during the Hitler Years." Jewish Virtual Library, 2021, www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/propaganda-and-children-during-the-hitler-years. Accessed 18 Feb. 2021.