Adolf Hitler was charismatic and manipulative leader who used his spellbinding oratory skills to create sense of blind obedience. Hitler formed a sense of unification by targeting a common scapegoat, and creating the ultimate “Nazi Myth.” Propaganda was a common instrument used to promote jingoistic attitudes. He was able to use his position in authority to pass laws and regulations that contributed to the ideals of the “master race.” Hitler used his totalitarian powers to promote the sense of utopia and strengthen nationalism.
First of all, Hitler used propaganda throughout literature and media to promote the sense of German nationalism. The Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda headed by Joseph Goebbels was established to depict the Nazi ideals and principles through art, music, films, and radio. (Nazi Propaganda) Films publicized anti-Semitism, the supremacy of the Germans, and the inherent evilness of Nazi regime enemies. For example, The Triumph of the Will (1935) by Leni Riefenstahl, glorified Hitler and the National Socialist movement. Many Nazi films portrayed Jews as inferior creatures contaminating Aryan society. For example, The Eternal Jew (1940), directed by Fritz Hippler, portrayed Jews as “sub-humans” consumed with greed. (Nazi Propaganda) The faulty depiction of Jews through propaganda created a social hierarchy: the inferior and the superior. This social structure produced an atmosphere of extreme nationalism, by selling the myth of the “Volksgemeinschaft.” The “Volksgemeinschaft,” was the unification of all “Aryan” Germans that surpass all other classes, religions, and cultures. (Rallying the Nation) Likewise, newspapers in Germany, such as the Der Stürmer, printed cartoons that used anti-Semitic caricatures to portray Jews. (Nazi Propaganda) Many Germans desired a sense of unity and national pride. Hitler was able to use propaganda to create an essence of unification by targeting a common scapegoat. Propaganda fueled the sense of nationalism with the use of anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitic propaganda created a sense of segregation, while nurturing an atmosphere of hatred and indifference. Nationalism was built upon the hatred and the xenophobic dispositions of the German population. Propaganda determined who would be excluded from the “national community.” (Rallying the Nation) Propaganda was used as a platform to manipulate and distort the image of reality, while strengthening the sense of nationalism. Moreover, Hitler used his utopian perception to promote the idea of the “master race.” Hitler often spoke about the “purity” and supremacy of the Aryan “master race.” The master race was an aspect of Nazi ideology which represented an ideal and pure white race. In order to implement this ideological master race Hitler used education as prominent tool. The Nazi-controlled education system indoctrinated youth with the …show more content…
For example, the Nazi government issued the, Law for the Prevention of Progeny with Hereditary Diseases, which would force sterilization of physically or mentally impaired individuals. In order to promote the concepts of sterilization, the Nazi government used propaganda movies to show the public that those who were hereditary ill were dangerous to the health of the nation. The “Sterilization Law” introduced in January 1934 allowed the forced sterilization of anyone suffering from terminal or hereditary illnesses. Hitler used propaganda once again to justify his action. Popular films such, “Das Erbe” build public support by highlighting the cost of care of the mentally ill and handicapped. (Forced Sterilization) Before World War 2 began, the Nazi doctors sterilized 400, 000 people that were described as “beings of lesser worth” and “life unworthy of life.” (The Nazi Eugenics Programs) Additionally, the “Law for the Protection of German Blood and Honor” forbid marriage and sexual relationships between Jews and Germans. (Nuremburg Race Laws) This law was introduced to prevent the German superiority from being weakened with intermarriages. In 1939 Hitler approved the Aktion T-4 program, which permitted doctors to carry out “mercy deaths” of the physically and mentally disabled patients. (Euthanasia program) At first, the program was initiated for the eradication of deformed children. Children were given lethal injections or starved to death. However, this program soon expanded to “undesirable” adults. German sterilization and euthanasia were implemented to support Hitler’s vision of a utopian society. By targeting the “abnormal” individuals, Hitler was able to create an idealistic outlook that supported his vision of the master race. These individuals did not fit Hitler’s proposed “Aryan race,” instead they unknowingly created a sense of opposition.
First of all, Hitler used propaganda throughout literature and media to promote the sense of German nationalism. The Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda headed by Joseph Goebbels was established to depict the Nazi ideals and principles through art, music, films, and radio. (Nazi Propaganda) Films publicized anti-Semitism, the supremacy of the Germans, and the inherent evilness of Nazi regime enemies. For example, The Triumph of the Will (1935) by Leni Riefenstahl, glorified Hitler and the National Socialist movement. Many Nazi films portrayed Jews as inferior creatures contaminating Aryan society. For example, The Eternal Jew (1940), directed by Fritz Hippler, portrayed Jews as “sub-humans” consumed with greed. (Nazi Propaganda) The faulty depiction of Jews through propaganda created a social hierarchy: the inferior and the superior. This social structure produced an atmosphere of extreme nationalism, by selling the myth of the “Volksgemeinschaft.” The “Volksgemeinschaft,” was the unification of all “Aryan” Germans that surpass all other classes, religions, and cultures. (Rallying the Nation) Likewise, newspapers in Germany, such as the Der Stürmer, printed cartoons that used anti-Semitic caricatures to portray Jews. (Nazi Propaganda) Many Germans desired a sense of unity and national pride. Hitler was able to use propaganda to create an essence of unification by targeting a common scapegoat. Propaganda fueled the sense of nationalism with the use of anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitic propaganda created a sense of segregation, while nurturing an atmosphere of hatred and indifference. Nationalism was built upon the hatred and the xenophobic dispositions of the German population. Propaganda determined who would be excluded from the “national community.” (Rallying the Nation) Propaganda was used as a platform to manipulate and distort the image of reality, while strengthening the sense of nationalism. Moreover, Hitler used his utopian perception to promote the idea of the “master race.” Hitler often spoke about the “purity” and supremacy of the Aryan “master race.” The master race was an aspect of Nazi ideology which represented an ideal and pure white race. In order to implement this ideological master race Hitler used education as prominent tool. The Nazi-controlled education system indoctrinated youth with the …show more content…
For example, the Nazi government issued the, Law for the Prevention of Progeny with Hereditary Diseases, which would force sterilization of physically or mentally impaired individuals. In order to promote the concepts of sterilization, the Nazi government used propaganda movies to show the public that those who were hereditary ill were dangerous to the health of the nation. The “Sterilization Law” introduced in January 1934 allowed the forced sterilization of anyone suffering from terminal or hereditary illnesses. Hitler used propaganda once again to justify his action. Popular films such, “Das Erbe” build public support by highlighting the cost of care of the mentally ill and handicapped. (Forced Sterilization) Before World War 2 began, the Nazi doctors sterilized 400, 000 people that were described as “beings of lesser worth” and “life unworthy of life.” (The Nazi Eugenics Programs) Additionally, the “Law for the Protection of German Blood and Honor” forbid marriage and sexual relationships between Jews and Germans. (Nuremburg Race Laws) This law was introduced to prevent the German superiority from being weakened with intermarriages. In 1939 Hitler approved the Aktion T-4 program, which permitted doctors to carry out “mercy deaths” of the physically and mentally disabled patients. (Euthanasia program) At first, the program was initiated for the eradication of deformed children. Children were given lethal injections or starved to death. However, this program soon expanded to “undesirable” adults. German sterilization and euthanasia were implemented to support Hitler’s vision of a utopian society. By targeting the “abnormal” individuals, Hitler was able to create an idealistic outlook that supported his vision of the master race. These individuals did not fit Hitler’s proposed “Aryan race,” instead they unknowingly created a sense of opposition.