Essential Vocabulary
Bias—An unfair act or policy stemming
from prejudice
Prejudice—irrational suspicion of a
particular group, race, or religion
Ideology—a set of doctrines or beliefs
that form the basis of a political system
Discriminate—to distinguish between
categories; to show prejudice or
preference
Nazi Ideology #1:
“Anti-Semitism is the same
as de-lousing: getting rid of
lice is not a question of
ideology, it is a matter of
cleanliness.”—Heinrich Himmler
Nazi Ideology #2:
“We have the duty to ‘depopulate,’ much as we
have the duty of caring for the German
population. We shall have to develop a technique
for ‘depopulation.’ You will ask what is
‘depopulation’? Do I propose to exterminate
whole ethnic groups? Yes, it will add up to that.
Nature is cruel; therefore we may be cruel too.”
--Adolf Hitler
Nazi Ideology #2:
“Terrorism is an effective political tool. I
shall not deprive of it merely because these
simple-minded bourgeois softies take
offense…People will think twice before
opposing us, if they know what awaits them
in the concentration camps.”
--Adolf Hitler
Goals of the Propaganda Initiative
• Encourage examination of the potential
consequences of propaganda
• Increase the public’s ability to critically
evaluate information
• Provoke discussion about responding to hate
speech and propaganda today
Propaganda is:
• biased information
• intentionally spread
• to shape public opinion and behavior.
Characteristics of Propaganda
• Contains true, partially true, or blatantly false information
and may selectively omit information
• Simplifies complex issues or ideas
• Plays on emotions
• Uses a variety of media (including symbols, images,
words, music)
• May be used to advertise a cause, organization, or
movement and attack opponents
Assumptions
• Propaganda can be put to positive or
negative purposes
• Propaganda seeks assent, not reasoned
argument; it is not brainwashing
• Propaganda works with our conscious and
unconscious hopes, fears, and desires
• Propaganda gives collective permission for
thought, speech and deed
State of Deception
In the hands of a state, propaganda can
become the means to deceive, corrupt,
control, and destroy.
Nazi Propaganda
1919-1933: Propaganda for Votes and Power
• Appealed to workers, women, students, peasants
1933-1939: Power and Persuasion in the Racial State
• Eradicated democracy in 6 months; promoted the collective
vs. the individual
1939-1945: Propaganda for War and Mass Murder
• War is justifiable to protect children and country
1945-Present: Propaganda on Trial
• Propagandists were tried at Nuremburg
Propaganda Techniques
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Assertion
Bandwagon
Card Stacking
Glittering Generalities
Lesser of Two Evils
Name Calling
Pinpointing the Enemy
• Plain folks
• Stereotyping
• Transfer
Voices of the
Excluded
http://www.ushmm.org/propaganda/archive/eternal-jew-exhibition
Nazi Film Clip
http://www.ushmm.org/propaganda/exhibit.html#/records/data/records/aryan-family-neues-volk.xml
http://www.ushmm.org/propaganda/exhibit.html#/records/data/records/post-hold-frankfurt.xml
Media Literacy
1. Who created this message and what is the
purpose?
2. What creative techniques are used to attract and
hold attention?
3. How might different people understand this
message differently?
4. What values, lifestyles, and points of view are
represented in this message?
5. What is omitted from the message?
1931
“National
Socialism
Germany’s
Future!”
p. 33
1932
“Millions of
Men without
work. Millions
of Children
without a
future. Save the
German family.”
p. 47
1932
“Hitler over
Germany”
p. 56
1932
“Work!
Freedom!
Bread!”
p. 40
1934
“Yes!
Fuhrer, We
Will Follow
You!”
p. 74
1936
The daily cost of
feeding a person
with a hereditary
disease is the
same as that for
an entire family
of healthy
Germans.
P. 87
1936
“Every National
Comrade a
Radio
Listener!”
P. 71
1937
“You, too,
belong to
the Fuhrer”
p. 81
1938
“The Gods
of the
Stadium”
p. 84
1938
Poster of ballot
marked “Yes!”
asking Germans if
they agree with the
March 13, 1938
“reunification of
Austria with
Germany.
P. 97
1939
“Victory over
Versailles”
p. 98
1940
“Why we
fight—for our
children’s
bread!”
p. 113
1942
“Behind the
Enemy
Powers: the
Jew”
p. 102
1943
“He is the
blame for the
war!”
p. 135
1943
“Victory or
Bolshevism”
p. 137
1944
“Traitor”
p. 109