Burkett 1

Lindsay Burkett Mr. Neuberger English 101- 132 20 November 2012 Research Paper Propaganda

Propaganda is a loaded term, and carries a wealth of discussion in its wake. Our current world is full of propaganda-like tactics in the ways of advertising and marketing. We can look around our environments and see the ways of our world, and if we look harder, we can also see what is influencing us. However, during the onset and duration of World War II, the use of propaganda became an evil tool used by the Nazi Reich to control its people and the views from the outside world. The heavy use of propaganda during World War II gave way to many definitions, ideas, and discussions about its use as one of the most influential weapons ever to be used. According to the article, Nazi Propaganda (NP), it was created by many different entities and distributed in generous ways including childrens literature, oration and writing, and physical alterations to environmental factors. Furthermore, these are the reasons propaganda became a weapon, and World War II history provides a wealth of understanding into this significant psychological influence on the masses.

Propaganda is formally defined by the Merriam-Webster

Joseph Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda & Enlightenment http://bit.ly/103wQjs

dictionary (MWD) as, "the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause or a person.

Burkett 2

(MWD) Propaganda can be subliminal or apparent, logical or emotional, literal or metaphoric. According to Bending Spines (BS), during Nazi rule, it was meant to indoctrinate people with the anti-Semitic belief and implement it into everyday life. Anti-Semitism was the distinct, unwavering belief that the Jewish population was of the Devils creation and every member of the race was to be rid of the planet. In relation, Propaganda assisted in making sure this belief was concrete, therefor giving reason for war.

Within the Diaries of Joseph Goebbels (DJG), it explains that the most noted discussions of propaganda in history are the subjects of Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler's writings while in prison, and the works of Joseph Goebbels, the Reich's "Minister for Propaganda and Enlightenment". Although Hitler was creating justification for mind control long before World War II began, it was Joseph Goebbels who implemented the tactics of propaganda to its marked peak during the war. He was a man of genius and a marked lack of empathy. Willingly a liar without remorse, Goebbels is marked as the one most important officials of
Allegiance to The Fuhrer http://bit.ly/Ws9GDp

propaganda in this period. Documentation in Bending Spines shows us that much like Hitler, Goebbels was an orator and knew the power of word. Together these men did nothing at short. Propaganda was to be used intently to show power and gain followers and believers. Also noted, Goebbels was known to have implanted the Myth of the Fuhrer, which in propaganda form, showed Hitler as a charismatic leader and flawless. This is where the work to control the human psyche began and would branch into many facets that influenced perspective all over the world.

Burkett 3

Adolf Hitlers writings have been revered as a Bible like teacher, or furthermore as Proof Texts of what the great orator insisted were the very values of his mission, including the ideas of anti-Semitism and the Germans status as the True Race. (BS) Hitlers perspective of everyday people rang clear as he gave little credit to the average human mind claiming, The masses are stupid and forgetful they face a complex world beyond their ability to understand rationality or logic. (BS) The text also explains that in agreement with Hitler, Goebbels explains they both idealized that the greater the lie, the more chance it had of being believed, often limiting the intelligence of the average human to that of an animal. (BS)

Germany was only one of several countries to use this as such a necessary tool, however they were the most vicious in its use. Their mission was to engrain one idea, one lie- The Germans had one enemy and it was the Jews. Forms of propaganda were produced to appeal to all ages, including children. (NP) Accoring to Propaganda and Chilren During The Hitler Years (PC), they used language and photographic manipulation to implant the hatred for Jews early in life. At the age of 6, children were given primers for German life. These included: camp life, marching, martial drums, boys growing up to be soldiers, etc. (PC) Furthermore, two well-known storybooks in the German childs world, Dont Trust A Fox in a Green Meadow or the Oath of a Jew and The Poisonous Mushroom were used during the Nuremberg Trials as examples of what should be implemented into the German society. The Jews were like the fox, a devilish creature, and the idea that Jews wcreature out to rid the world of the Germans was the story. (SOURCE Prop&Children article) FURTHERMORE, the stories acted as the direct evidence needed to explain the need to warn the German citizens of the hate
The Poisonous Mushroom http://bit.ly/WhxuVX

Burkett 4

groups that lived among them. This would be an important aspect while making people believers of anti-Semitism.

Cinema and news were not slim propaganda but maybe one of the most powerful to the outside world. According to an article, The Ghettos:Theresienstadt (GT), the less known ghetto of Theresienstadt would stand as a model Jewish settlement
Trust No FoxNo Jew On His Oath http://amzn.to/XYoZUR

specifically for propaganda purposes. Much like the documentary, A Film Unfinished (AFU) it was held

specifically as a mask for the truth. Reality dictated something much different, and the Nazis were careful to plan these types of set ups for the outside world. Also referenced through radio and news, the world began to learn of death camps toward the end of 1943, and the International Red Cross made a visit. The Nazis prepared for this visit by decorating Theresienstadt with color by planting gardens and opening fake coffee houses, banks, and stores (GT). Bending Spines also describes how Children were dressed in their best and given extracurricular activities to join in, as to create a sense of happiness. This imagery was a delusion in comparison with the overcrowded ghettos that actually lurked around the area. The truth was, before the visit, many prisoners were malnourished, diseased, and ultimately sent to Auschwitz to relieve overcrowding. (TG) Similar to the footage of A Film Unfinished, the meeting of
Children of Theresienstadt posed in happily in nice clothing http://bit.ly/Jytmj5

Burkett 5

prisoners by the Red Cross went through a scripted practice before taking place as to also show a peaceful happiness similar to that of the Warsaw Ghetto. While the outside reality of war was evident, the Germans desperately attempted to mute the everyday despair of the ghettos to mask their evil treatment and course of action. (AFU)

This propaganda information only skims the top layer of the Nazis plan and implementation of tactics to control the human mind for the better of their cause. By
The Reality of Theresienstadt prisoners http://bit.ly/UcOIUO

recognizing the doctrine and force put upon the Jews, the Germans and the rest of the world, we are able to recognize the evil intent underneath. While propaganda itself can be used for way of good, World War II acknowledges the most grotesque use of mind control and sadly leaves us with man questions to the sanity of those behind it.

Burkett 6

Works Cited A Film Unfinished. Dir. Yael Hersonski. January 2010. Class/Netflix source Bytwerk, Randall L. Bending Spines: The Propagandas of Nazi Germany and the German Democrat Republic. Michigan State University Press, 2004. Nook file. Mills, Mary. Propaganda and Children During the Hitler Years. YadVesham Organization. Web source Nazi Propaganda. Shoah Resource Center. YadVesham Organization. Web source. Propaganda. Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Web Source. Oct. 25 2012. Trevor-Roper, Hugh. Introduction. Final Entries 1945: The Diaries of Joseph Goebbels Taylor, Phil. What Is Propaganda? University of Leeds UK. Web Source. November 1 2012 The Ghettos: Theresienstadt. YadVeshem Organization. Web Source.

Lindsey, Your paper is interesting enough. However, I must say your use of acronyms confused me rather than simplify things. Once I got through the first couple of paragraphs, you seem to integrate your source more effectively. Overall though, nice work. See your score below.

Burkett 7 Score Points Available

20 10 20 15 10 10 15 Total = 100

Content paper demonstrates understanding and confidence about topic Sources uses only primary and secondary sources In-Text Citations integrates sources within text with effective use of signal words and phrases Formatting properly uses MLA formatting Works Cited works cited page has the required number of sources and is properly formatted Pictures uses pictures to enhance the text with effective captions and source information Writing Mechanics Paper is free from errors in spelling, punctuation, etc.

20 10 15 13 10 10 11
Total Score

89