4. Propaganda and the Hitler Myth

About this Lecture

Lecture

In this module, we think about the role of propaganda and the Hitler myth in the creation of Volksgemeinschaft ('people's community') in Nazi Germany, focusing in particular: (i) the creation of the Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda (RMVP) in 1933, and the view of its head, Joseph Goebbels, on the purpose of propaganda; (ii) the variety of forms taken by Nazi propaganda: posters, feature films, newspapers, radio, rallies, etc.; (iii) the extent to which Nazi propaganda built on pre-existing prejudices and stereotypes, e.g. anti-Semitism; (iv) the extent to which propaganda relied on the regime's successes in domestic and foreign policy; (v) the concept of Volksgemeinschaft, and the kind of society that the Nazis envisioned for Germany; (vi) the kinds of slogans and initiatives that were used to foster a sense of national community, e.g. 'Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer!' and the Eintopfsonntag campaign; (vii) the importance of the figure of Hitler in creating consent and consensus, and the concept of the Hitler myth; (viii) the extent to which criticism against the regime was attracted to Hitler's advisors rather than Hitler himself; (ix) the achievements of the Nazi regime, in terms of both domestic and foreign policy; (x) the extent to which the Hitler myth relied his continued success, and began to wane when the war turned against Germany – especially after Stalingrad; and (xi) the collapse of the myth following the 20 July plot and Hitler's retreat from public life.

Course

In this course, Dr Lisa Pine (London South Bank University) explores several aspects of Nazi Germany. In the first module, we think about the rise of Nazism from the foundation of the DAP (later the NSDAP) in 1919 to Hitler's appointment as Chancellor in 1933. After that, we think about the impact of the Great Depression specifically on the rise of the Nazi Party, before turning in the third module to the question of what kind of people voted (and did not vote) for the Nazis. In the fourth module, we think about the importance of the propaganda and the 'Hitler myth' to the stability of the Nazi regime, before turning in the fifth module to consider the role of coercion and terror, focusing in particular on the role of Nazi secret police, the Gestapo, and the extensive concentration camp network that lasted between 1933-44. Finally, in the sixth module, we think about the experience of women in Nazi Germany.

Lecturer

Dr Lisa Pine is an Associate Professor in History. She is a graduate of the London School of Economics, where she obtained her first degree in Government and History and her MSc in International History with Distinction. She received her doctorate from the University of London in 1996.

She has taught extensively in modern and contemporary history and politics. She is a leading international expert on issues relating to the history of Nazi Germany. Dr Pine has written on a diverse range of topics including the family, women and education in the Third Reich and aspects of Holocaust history and memory. She has contributed to local, national and international media, as well as numerous international conferences and symposia.

Her research expertise is centred upon the history of Nazi Germany, 1933-1945. She is a social historian of the Third Reich, with a strong interest in the mechanisms of this dictatorial regime and its impact upon German society.

She is a widely published international expert in this field. Her main publications include: Life and Times in Nazi Germany (2016); Education in Nazi Germany (2010); Hitler's "National Community": Society and Culture in Nazi Germany (2007 and 2017); and Nazi Family Policy, 1933-1945 (1997).