Nazi Methods of Control

Nazi Methods of Control

1. Propaganda

   • Definition: using the media and other platforms to spread ideas and opinions to control the way people think
   • They controlled radio broadcasts, films and posters
   • Goebbels = head of propaganda
     • The Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda - 1933
       • All writers, artists, journalists and musicians had to register to get their work approved
   • Organised huge rallies of party members
     • Image of power and popularity
     • 1936 Berlin Olympics - International Publicity

2. Censorship

   • Censored books, newspapers and other material
   • Those who published anti-Nazi material risked execution
   • Encouraged Nationalism and anti-Semitism
     • Praised patriotic German composers (Wagner) but banned the work of Jewish composers (Mendelssohn)

3. Germany became a Police state

   • The SS was Hitler's bodyguard
     • Expanded massively under Himmler in the 1930s
       • Himmler also in charge of the Gestapo (secret police)
     • Totally loyal to Hitler
     • Feared for their cruelty
   • After 1933 concentration camps spread across Germany and its territories
     • Held political prisoners and anyone else considered dangerous to the Nazis
     • Some were later turned into death camps
   • Local wardens were employed to ensure total German loyalty to the Nazis
     • People were encouraged to report disloyalty
       • Led to arrests from the Gestapo

4. The Church

   • Many Nazis were against Christianity
     • Its teaching of peace was incompatible with Nazi ideas
       • Didn't want to risk an immediate attack on it
   • Hitler made an agreement with the Catholic church in 1933
     • Both promised to not interfere with the other
       • Nazis tried to curb influence
         • Led to Catholic protests against Nazi policies
   • Hitler tried to unite the Protestant churches into one Reich church
     • Placed the Nazi bishop Ludwig Muller at its head
       • Some church members split off in protest at this state interference
         • Formed the Confessing Church
   • Many clergy who stood up to the Nazi regime were sent to concentration camps