Mein Kampf: The Manipulative Phenomenon Of Nazi Germany

At nearly every moment, humans are constantly being bombarded with ranging forms of language. People encounter this information whenever they view an advertisement, peruse a social networking site, listen to a song, or even as they converse with friends. Therefore, it is understandable that whoever can take control of the dominant method of communication, will have power over the common person. Take the Second World War, for example. Words were being used by all sides to manipulate their own people to support national ideas. Perhaps the most notable example of this manipulative phenomenon is Nazi Germany. In Mein Kampf, Adolf Hitler, who would become the dictator of the Third Reich, accused the Jewish people of the world of using fabrications
for their own gain.
For the grossly impudent lie always leaves traces behind it, even after it has been nailed down, a fact which is known to all expert liars in this world and to all who conspire together in the art of lying. These people know only too well how to use falsehood for the basest purposes. From time immemorial, however, the Jews have known better than any others how falsehood and calumny can be exploited. Is not their very existence founded on one great lie, namely, that they are a religious community, where as in reality they are a race? And what a race! One of the greatest thinkers that mankind has produced has branded the Jews for all time with a statement which is profoundly and exactly true. Schopenhauer called the Jew "The Great Master of Lies". Those who do not realize the truth of that statement, or do not wish to believe it, will never be able to lend a hand in helping Truth to prevail. (Hitler 134)
However, as can be seen in this excerpt, the Austrian born politician is exploiting the power of language the same way he accuses Jewish people of doing.
In this case, Hitler was attempting to unite the German people against those he deemed responsible for the German defeat in the First World War and the collapse of the German economy. In the very first two lines, the eventual dictator calls the constituents of an entire religious population liars, an incredibly harsh generalization. Then, he goes onto describe how they are even lying about their entire existence as a religious community, when he deems them to be a race. He also attacks the complete Jewish history by claiming that it is built upon slander and falsehoods. In his effort, Adolf Hitler committed the most egregious misuse of language, the intentional discrimination of an entire religious community leading to their extermination as a result of the gross fabrication of information. Yet, given his national audience and the turmoil existing within the nation, it is no wonder that the Nazi leader was able to garner the support of the majority of the population. By using phraseology, the way that a specific person utilizes words, to create a common enemy and scapegoat, Hitler found the ability to unite the German population to work toward a collective goal against a shared enemy, which is among the most formidable abilities of
humanity.
There are two major components that make up the use of language dialogue, the method Hitler used, and writing. However, the two have overlapping qualities because all dialogues can be considered forms of writing, and all writings can be considered dialogues between authors and their audiences. Yet, the distinguishing factors can be seen in the different ways information is projected in each. Typically, dialogue is spoken out loud, in a conversation or an oration for example, with a defined speaker and a known audience. However, writing generally involves the author dictating the ideas he or she intends to convey through his or her work, using literary devices, such as structure, allegory, allusion, and symbolism. Both factors are affected by a third: dissemination. Dissemination is the process by which the contents of a dialogue, for instance a speech, or piece of writing is spread among the people, which can be affected by the preexisting bias of news outlets and laws affecting the legality of works of literature. The action of circulating information and ideas, or the lack thereof, affects the way in which the target population understands and discerns the information with which they are being provided. These three constituents comprise the functioning elements of language, which through literature and public speaking, has come to define life in all corners of the world. Throughout all of literature, language and word choice is used to communicate specific ideas and beliefs and, at times, to control the masses whether it be through fictional works, music, public speeches or legal pieces. Language is the most potent tool of control, however it is also the most powerful medium of revolutionary ideas, as can be recognized in the dystopian pieces Brave New World (1932) by Aldous Huxley and Cat’s Cradle (1963) by Kurt Vonnegut, the cult group Heaven’s Gate, and the protest songs “16 Military Wives”(2005) by the Decemberists and “Express Yourself” by N.W.A. (1988). All genres of literature focus largely on transmitting values and ideas through the telling of stories. However, dystopian works are the best examples of authors employing their craft to relay theories to their audiences and to warn them of potential dangers of the future. Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World is a prime example of an author’s fears in the pre-atomic age. The book showcases a distant future world in which the population is completely conditioned by the ruling leadership.
"Just to give you a general idea," he would explain to them.
For of course some sort of general idea they must have, if they were to do their work intelligently—though as little of one, if they were to be good and happy members of society, as possible. For particulars, as every one knows, make for virtue and happiness; generalities are intellectually necessary evils. Not philosophers but fret-sawyers and stamp collectors compose the backbone of society. (Huxley 4)
It is evident that those in control condition the common people into believing that they must give up themselves for the good of society. However, they are led to believe this through their early development and the lack of liberal education, rather than discipline, so instead of being forced to put certain ideas of personal freedom and behind, they simply do not learn such ideas. Consequently, language is the key factor in ensuring that the people of Brave New World do not understand or feel the emotions that give a person humanity.
The central themes of Brave New World include censorship and human conditioning, both of which are fundamentally related to the usage of language. According to Oran’s Dictionary of Law, censorship is: “1. The denial of freedom of speech or freedom of the press. 2. The review of books, movies, etc., to prohibit publication and distribution, usually for reasons of morality or state security (Oran).” The censorship in Huxley’s work encompasses the entirety of the
definition.
"You all remember," said the Controller, in his strong deep voice, "you all remember, I suppose, that beautiful and inspired saying of Our Ford's: History is bunk. History," he repeated slowly, "is bunk."He waved his hand; and it was as though, with an invisible feather wisk, he had brushed away a little dust, and the dust was Harappa, was Ur of the Chaldees; some spider-webs, and they were Thebes and Babylon and Cnossos and Mycenae. Whisk. Whisk—and where was Odysseus, where was Job, where were Jupiter and Gotama and Jesus? Whisk—and those specks of antique dirt called Athens and Rome, Jerusalem and the Middle Kingdom – all were gone. (Huxley 34-35)