How Did Hitler Influence The Status Of German Youth
Nazi ideology was a combination of passionate nationalism and bitter racism. Adolf Hitler, the driving force of Nazism and the chancellor of Germany, along with propaganda figureheads such as Joseph Goebbels employed several tactics in order to make the rise of a Nazi Germany unavoidable. Hitler’s increase in support from the German people between 1926-1945 resulted directly from a propaganda campaign that would control the minds of German youth, persuade the people of the country to support his cause by using censorship and use anti-Semitism as a tool to influence the German people.
The propaganda campaign launched by the Nazi party controlled the minds of the German youth. Hitler’s attitude towards controlling German youth was calculated and in his speech at Reichsparteitag in 1935 when Hitler stated, ”He alone, who owns the youth, gains the future!” (Kurtis,1983). As a result of this philosophy, great emphasis was placed on youth …show more content…
programs and by 1935, 60% of Germany’s youth were enrolled into the Nazi youth movement (Keeley, 1995).
Membership to the Hitler Youth eventually became an inevitable process by 1936, provided recruits complied with the racial requirements (Kurtis, 1983) and punishments were given to those who refused to join (HBU, 2012). Jennifer Keeley, American author of “Life in Hitler Youth” written in 1995, corroborates the idea of the inculcation of youth when she suggests that manipulation eventually became much easier as the boys and girls had never known anything but a Germany with the National Socialists in power (Keeley, 1995). The Hitler Youth was a program that the Nazis could completely control. The younger generation came to Hitler as a clean slate and were more vulnerable to ideological manipulation. This is substantiated by Chris Turner, English historian in 1972 when he stated, “They [Hitler Youth] were programmed into believing that the Aryan race was “racially pure” and superior (Turner, 1972). This is further supported by Behrendt, a former Hitler Youth sympathiser,
when he stated in 1952 that “If you can capture the minds of young children and persuade them to become dedicated to your cause, your theory of the truth and your theory of what is right and wrong, then you can hold the whole country captive and you have complete control” (Behrendt, 1952). Through his dogma, Hitler emphasized activism, physical training and Nazi ideology, especially nationalism and racial purity (Turner, 1972). It demanded absolute obedience to Hitler and the Nazi party, thus shaping their “ideal” of German citizenship and the procreation of Nazi candidates (Keeley, 1995).
Hitler was able to persuade the German people to support his cause as a result of his propaganda campaign and censorship. A key aspect of Nazi dogma and propaganda was the projection of Hitler’s carefully moulded image (Welsh, 1969). This was cultivated through the photo opportunity and facilitated by the sheer number of popular newspapers and illustrated magazines in Germany (Trueman, 1995). Compounding this was a myriad of flattering picture books prepared by Hitler’s portrait photographer, Heinrich Hoffman (O’Shaughnessy, 2009). This is verified by Nazi propaganda director, Dr. Joseph Goebbels, who stated in 1943, “It is not enough for people to be more or less reconciled to our regime, to be persuaded to adopt a neutral attitude towards us. Rather we want to work on people until they have capitulated to us…” (Noakes & Pridham, 1974). Goebbels’ official title was Minister of Propaganda and National Enlightenment. As Minister of Enlightenment, Goebbels had two main tasks. Firstly, to ensure that the Germany community would not read nor see anything that was hostile or damaging to the Nazi Party and secondly, to ensure that the views of the Nazis were put across in the most persuasive manner possible (Welsh, 1969). As well as controlling Germany’s media, an array of propaganda posters were employed (Mason, 1996). In Adolf Hitler’s, 1925 Mein Kampf he corroborates the usefulness of propaganda when he states that, “… in every great revolutionary movement that is of world importance, the idea of this movement must always be spread abroad through the operation of propaganda.” (Herzstein, 1978). Canadian historians Ronald Herztein and Professor Nathan O’Shaughnessy have corroborated this when they stated in 1997 that if it had not been for the influential use of propaganda, it is doubtful that Hitler would have gained power in Germany, let alone achieved and retained support for another war (Welsh, 1969). Propaganda meant everything to the Nazis and, when it came to war, it was considered by Hitler to be a weapon of the first order, playing just as important a role as more traditional weapons of destruction.
Hitler and the Nazis were able to use anti-Semitism as a tool to control the minds of the German people. The anti-Semitism that took place in Nazi Germany went as far as an attempt at Genocide to rid the world from Jewry. The term anti-Semitism refers to hatred or prejudice towards the Jewish race; this agrees with the idea behind Alexander Botwinick's statement in 1992 that anti-Semitism “is a modern word for an ancient malignancy” (Botwinick, 1992). This hatred can be traced centuries and centuries into the past, but the most memorable examples are the treatment of Jews in Nazi Germany. American historian, Jack Welch authenticates this view when he wrote in 1989 that, “Anti-Semitism was not only the core of Nazi ideology, but the Jewish stereotype that developed from it provided the focal point for the feeling of aggression inherent in the ideology” (Welch, 1989). Welch's statement substantiates with Andrew Noakes following statement in 1974, “It expressed a vision of a cosmic racial struggle in which Jews, representing the forces of darkness, were pitted against the Aryan forces of light, of whom the German people were the standard bearers” (Noakes, 1974). The Nazi Party was an organization that thrived on hatred and racism. This is further supported by Dawidowicz, Austrian historian when he stated in 1984 that, “In the hierarchy of Nazi racial values, the Jews were bottom most” (Dawidowicz). As a result of this, they were persecuted the worst. The spread of anti-Semitism throughout Germany greatly impacted the society. Hitler blamed the Jews for all the problems that Germany was going through at this time in history (Welch, 1989). This included things such as their military losses in World War I and economic depression after the war (Noakes, 1974). Hitler used anti-Semitism to turn the people of Germany against its Jewish population. Hitler had a definite hatred towards Jews, which he spread like a virus through the heart of Germany. This is corroborated with Hitler’s view of Jews, which is clearly stated in his Book Mein Kampf written in 1925 where he defines Jews as “a parasite in the body of other peoples” (Hitler, 1925). Not only does Hitler describe the Jew as a menace and a parasite in the world, he also feels that their race is trying to take over and dominate the earth. These racist ideals are the messages he forced into the minds of the unhappy, hungry masses of Germany (Noakes, 1974). Hitler was aware of this and used anti-Semitism as a tool to control the nation of Germany by creating a common enemy to fight against (Welch, 1989). By slowly turning the German society against the Jews, Hitler was able to achieve his goals, and as leader of the country he had the power to do whatever he pleased with the massive Jewish population of Germany.
The Nazi Party’s brilliant propaganda and the brutal enforcement of its ideology between 1926 and 1945 were unquestionably successful in gaining the support of the German people. This strategy was directed at German youth and a vulnerable population still reeling from the humiliation of the First World War (Welch, 1989). The Nazis were able to maintain control over the masses through codified and unwritten values through the education of their youth, propaganda and censorship, and the integration of anti-Semitism within their propaganda campaign to create a common enemy. The fear, inculcation and manipulation incorporated into these strategies were incomparable to anything previously seen in history. Hitler, with the support of Geobbels and many others, managed to sell an ideology of racism, nationalism, militarism and aggression to a country that had recently undergone shame and depression. Without these tactics, Hitler and the Nazi regime would never have achieved such unparalleled success. Hitler’s use of dogma, inculcation and fear led to to some of the most horrific events in the history of humanity, but it also showed the profound effect one person can have over the masses, which makes one mull over what possibilities that could have arisen if Hitler used his gifts for good not evil.
The propaganda campaign launched by the Nazi party controlled the minds of the German youth. Hitler’s attitude towards controlling German youth was calculated and in his speech at Reichsparteitag in 1935 when Hitler stated, ”He alone, who owns the youth, gains the future!” (Kurtis,1983). As a result of this philosophy, great emphasis was placed on youth …show more content…
programs and by 1935, 60% of Germany’s youth were enrolled into the Nazi youth movement (Keeley, 1995).
Membership to the Hitler Youth eventually became an inevitable process by 1936, provided recruits complied with the racial requirements (Kurtis, 1983) and punishments were given to those who refused to join (HBU, 2012). Jennifer Keeley, American author of “Life in Hitler Youth” written in 1995, corroborates the idea of the inculcation of youth when she suggests that manipulation eventually became much easier as the boys and girls had never known anything but a Germany with the National Socialists in power (Keeley, 1995). The Hitler Youth was a program that the Nazis could completely control. The younger generation came to Hitler as a clean slate and were more vulnerable to ideological manipulation. This is substantiated by Chris Turner, English historian in 1972 when he stated, “They [Hitler Youth] were programmed into believing that the Aryan race was “racially pure” and superior (Turner, 1972). This is further supported by Behrendt, a former Hitler Youth sympathiser,
when he stated in 1952 that “If you can capture the minds of young children and persuade them to become dedicated to your cause, your theory of the truth and your theory of what is right and wrong, then you can hold the whole country captive and you have complete control” (Behrendt, 1952). Through his dogma, Hitler emphasized activism, physical training and Nazi ideology, especially nationalism and racial purity (Turner, 1972). It demanded absolute obedience to Hitler and the Nazi party, thus shaping their “ideal” of German citizenship and the procreation of Nazi candidates (Keeley, 1995).
Hitler was able to persuade the German people to support his cause as a result of his propaganda campaign and censorship. A key aspect of Nazi dogma and propaganda was the projection of Hitler’s carefully moulded image (Welsh, 1969). This was cultivated through the photo opportunity and facilitated by the sheer number of popular newspapers and illustrated magazines in Germany (Trueman, 1995). Compounding this was a myriad of flattering picture books prepared by Hitler’s portrait photographer, Heinrich Hoffman (O’Shaughnessy, 2009). This is verified by Nazi propaganda director, Dr. Joseph Goebbels, who stated in 1943, “It is not enough for people to be more or less reconciled to our regime, to be persuaded to adopt a neutral attitude towards us. Rather we want to work on people until they have capitulated to us…” (Noakes & Pridham, 1974). Goebbels’ official title was Minister of Propaganda and National Enlightenment. As Minister of Enlightenment, Goebbels had two main tasks. Firstly, to ensure that the Germany community would not read nor see anything that was hostile or damaging to the Nazi Party and secondly, to ensure that the views of the Nazis were put across in the most persuasive manner possible (Welsh, 1969). As well as controlling Germany’s media, an array of propaganda posters were employed (Mason, 1996). In Adolf Hitler’s, 1925 Mein Kampf he corroborates the usefulness of propaganda when he states that, “… in every great revolutionary movement that is of world importance, the idea of this movement must always be spread abroad through the operation of propaganda.” (Herzstein, 1978). Canadian historians Ronald Herztein and Professor Nathan O’Shaughnessy have corroborated this when they stated in 1997 that if it had not been for the influential use of propaganda, it is doubtful that Hitler would have gained power in Germany, let alone achieved and retained support for another war (Welsh, 1969). Propaganda meant everything to the Nazis and, when it came to war, it was considered by Hitler to be a weapon of the first order, playing just as important a role as more traditional weapons of destruction.
Hitler and the Nazis were able to use anti-Semitism as a tool to control the minds of the German people. The anti-Semitism that took place in Nazi Germany went as far as an attempt at Genocide to rid the world from Jewry. The term anti-Semitism refers to hatred or prejudice towards the Jewish race; this agrees with the idea behind Alexander Botwinick's statement in 1992 that anti-Semitism “is a modern word for an ancient malignancy” (Botwinick, 1992). This hatred can be traced centuries and centuries into the past, but the most memorable examples are the treatment of Jews in Nazi Germany. American historian, Jack Welch authenticates this view when he wrote in 1989 that, “Anti-Semitism was not only the core of Nazi ideology, but the Jewish stereotype that developed from it provided the focal point for the feeling of aggression inherent in the ideology” (Welch, 1989). Welch's statement substantiates with Andrew Noakes following statement in 1974, “It expressed a vision of a cosmic racial struggle in which Jews, representing the forces of darkness, were pitted against the Aryan forces of light, of whom the German people were the standard bearers” (Noakes, 1974). The Nazi Party was an organization that thrived on hatred and racism. This is further supported by Dawidowicz, Austrian historian when he stated in 1984 that, “In the hierarchy of Nazi racial values, the Jews were bottom most” (Dawidowicz). As a result of this, they were persecuted the worst. The spread of anti-Semitism throughout Germany greatly impacted the society. Hitler blamed the Jews for all the problems that Germany was going through at this time in history (Welch, 1989). This included things such as their military losses in World War I and economic depression after the war (Noakes, 1974). Hitler used anti-Semitism to turn the people of Germany against its Jewish population. Hitler had a definite hatred towards Jews, which he spread like a virus through the heart of Germany. This is corroborated with Hitler’s view of Jews, which is clearly stated in his Book Mein Kampf written in 1925 where he defines Jews as “a parasite in the body of other peoples” (Hitler, 1925). Not only does Hitler describe the Jew as a menace and a parasite in the world, he also feels that their race is trying to take over and dominate the earth. These racist ideals are the messages he forced into the minds of the unhappy, hungry masses of Germany (Noakes, 1974). Hitler was aware of this and used anti-Semitism as a tool to control the nation of Germany by creating a common enemy to fight against (Welch, 1989). By slowly turning the German society against the Jews, Hitler was able to achieve his goals, and as leader of the country he had the power to do whatever he pleased with the massive Jewish population of Germany.
The Nazi Party’s brilliant propaganda and the brutal enforcement of its ideology between 1926 and 1945 were unquestionably successful in gaining the support of the German people. This strategy was directed at German youth and a vulnerable population still reeling from the humiliation of the First World War (Welch, 1989). The Nazis were able to maintain control over the masses through codified and unwritten values through the education of their youth, propaganda and censorship, and the integration of anti-Semitism within their propaganda campaign to create a common enemy. The fear, inculcation and manipulation incorporated into these strategies were incomparable to anything previously seen in history. Hitler, with the support of Geobbels and many others, managed to sell an ideology of racism, nationalism, militarism and aggression to a country that had recently undergone shame and depression. Without these tactics, Hitler and the Nazi regime would never have achieved such unparalleled success. Hitler’s use of dogma, inculcation and fear led to to some of the most horrific events in the history of humanity, but it also showed the profound effect one person can have over the masses, which makes one mull over what possibilities that could have arisen if Hitler used his gifts for good not evil.