Propaganda

3 Main Concepts: o What is propaganda? o How does propaganda work?o How can stereotypes and Anti-Semitic beliefs be

used as propaganda?

Propaganda: expression or opinion designed to influence others and convince people to believe something

How it works: • Repeats the same information • Twists or exaggerates the truth • Appeals to people’s emotions• Gives the illusion that most

people agree with the message• Talks to people in their own

language • Uses accessible media and

images

Several types of propaganda

Examine the effects of each propaganda source…Take note of 2 things:1) What is the effect/what is it trying to make you think or

believe?2) How is it trying to convince you of something?

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This special edition was dedicated to the practice of ritual murder ascribed to the Jews. The authors presented their prejudices as fact in order to intensify anti-Semitic hatred towards the "murderers of Christ."

Der Sturmer probably the most infamous anti-

Semitic newspaper in history published for 22 years, beginning in

1923 each weekly issue denounced Jews in

a vicious way publisher was an anti-Semite and a

member of the Nazi Party Goal: capture the attention of the

masses by expressing the ideas in the paper in a way that was simple and easy to comprehend.

Anti-Jewish cartoons or caricatures were used throughout the paper

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Mein Kampf • Hitler's decision to completely

exterminate the Jewish presence in Europe

• racial laws to which Hitler referred resonate directly with his ideas in Mein Kampf

• stated that the destruction of the weak and sick is far more humane than their protection

• Hitler saw a purpose in destroying "the weak" in order to provide the proper space and purity for the strong

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To what an extent the whole existence of this people is based on a continuous lie is shown incomparably by the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, so infinitely hated by the Jews. They are based on a forgery…the Jew is not the attacked but the attacker…Here he stops at nothing, and in his vileness he becomes so gigantic that no one need be surprised if among our people the personification of the devil as the symbol of all evil assumes the living shape of the Jew. The ignorance of the broad masses about the inner nature of the Jew, the lack of instinct and narrow-mindedness of our upper classes, make the people an easy victim for this Jewish campaign of lies. Slowly fear and the Marxist weapon of Jewry descend like a nightmare on the mind and soul of decent people. Mein Kampf

Propaganda Strategies

• Examine the following:Type of propaganda Summarize the strategyCome up with an example of the strategy

Name - Calling• A way of smearing an

opponent• Intent is to damage opponent• It also arouses suspicion of

opponent• Intention is to create an

uneasy feeling• Used by politicians and

product companies

Glittering Generalization

• Use of vague words/phrases with positive connotations

• “Freedom,” “Hope”

• Often used by politicians

Emotionally appealing words that are closely associated with highly-valued concepts and beliefs that they carry conviction without supporting information or reason.

TransferPositive feelings/desires are connected to a product/userTransfers positive feelings we have of something we know to something we don’t.

• Sex Appeal• Love/ Popularity• Fame• Wealth• Power

Testimonial• Statement endorsing an idea/product by a prominent person.• Product can be inside or outside particular field.• Musical artists,• Sports giants,• Actors/actresses

Plain Folks• Opposite of Snob Appeal• Identifies product/idea with a locality or country• Practical product for ordinary people.

Like a good neighbor…

Snob Appeal• Aims to flatter• Makes assumption/ insinuation that this product/idea is better

than others…• Thus, those that use it are too.• “Avant Garde” ahead of the times.

The Ultimate driving machine

Bandwagon• persuasive technique that invites you to join the crowd.• Everybody’s doing it!• Often uses weasel words• Words and phrases aimed at creating an impression that something

specific and meaningful has been said, when in fact only a vague or ambiguous claim, or even a reputation has been communicated.

Propaganda sends a message

• What type of message would Nazi Propaganda send to Germany in the 1930’s? Brainstorm a list…..

• What type of message would American Propaganda portray during WWII?

• What are the messages in the following propaganda cartoons?

1) Donald Duck, Der Fuehrer’s Face

2) Nazi Youth, Education for Death

Effects of Nazi

Propaganda How the Nazis spread propaganda and its

effect on Jews and German society

How Nazis Spread Propaganda

• 1930’s, campaign of propaganda led by Hitler and the Nazi regime in order to spread misinformation and lies about Jews

• Josef Goebbels: “Minister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda” in the Nazi Party

Goal of Nazi Propaganda

Dehumanize Jews by naming them an “inferior race”

Create negative image of Jews

Dehumanization: to deprive of human qualities such as individuality, compassion, or civility

1. Create widespread anti-Semitism

2. Lay groundwork for eliminating rights and freedoms of Jews

3. Blame Jews for economic and social problems in Germany

The Average Jew •Greedy•Communist •Anarchist

Sources of Anti-Semitic Propaganda • Schools

• Media

• Films

• Posters

• Dramas

Poisonous Mushroom• Children’s Book

• Taught children that Jews can’t be trusted

• Jews abuse animals• Jews didn’t fight in WWI• Jews take advantage of Germans• Without solving the Jewish Question,

there is no hope for mankind

Result of Anti-Semitic Propaganda• Widespread ridicule • Violence• Humiliation • Persecution of Jews• Drove Jews into poverty• Discrimination • Scapegoating • Set the stage for mass genocide

Anti-Semitic Laws and Actions Nazis encouraged

Germans to boycott Jewish businesses

The Nuremberg Laws, passed on 9/12, 10/18, and 11/15 in 1935, deliberately increased isolation of Jews

The Laws formally established :

German citizenship Prevented Christians

from marrying Jews Removed Jews from jobsStripped Jews of their

civil rights Excluded Jews from

society

The Star of David• Nazis forced Jews to identify themselves• Purpose was to separate them from society and to shame them • One way to dehumanize Jews• The Nazi abuse of the Star of David also distorted a symbol

sacred to Jews

Kristallnacht November 9 and 10, 1938 1st major Pogrom against Jews in Germany Pogrom: “to wreck havoc; demolish violently” ; an

organized attack or massacre of helpless people About 100 Jews died, 30,000 sent to concentration camps Used to dehumanize Jews Permitted Germans to persecute Jews