Propaganda

I found the propaganda used by the German government to influence the German people, particularly the difference between use by the Weimar Republic and the National Socialist Party, to be compelling. The people in charge of Weimar Republic seemed to be trying their best to support the German people despite the terrible situation they were all in. The National Socialist Party was very radical and aggressive. Looking back at them now, we would obviously support the republic over the Nazi party. At the time however, the German people hated the political system of the Weimar Republic and supported the National Socialist Party. A major tool in directing the populace’s opinions was propaganda.

                There are few examples I can find of propaganda used in support of the Weimar Republic. It was criticized by the press and intellectuals. Even the civil servants disliked it because the majority of them were monarchists. Almost no one was willing to speak a positive opinion of the republic, so it is no wonder it was so hated by the people (222).

This is a poster encouraging people to vote for Hindenburg. It is very plain and rather simple with only a picture of the man, the main massage, and a few lines of text. By advertising standards today, it wouldn’t be considered eye catching or memorable.

In contrast to the Hindenburg poster, this picture supports Hitler. Instead of showing Hitler, a large number of downtrodden people are shown. It reads “Our last hope: Hitler.” Instead of giving logical reasons why the people should vote for Hitler, it appeals to their emotions. A lot of people were having a hard time and probably felt like how the people in the picture look. They were sick of the politicians that campaigned with reason and seemed to be unable to improve the conditions that Germans were living in. They wanted hope, and that is exactly what this poster was targeting.

                Because people had such a bad view of the republic and many wanted to go back to the times of the monarchy, to support such a strong figure as Hitler appealed to many people. But it wasn’t just this that helped him gain power. He fed off of the worries and problems of the people and rallied them up with emotional speeches. He convinced people to support him by appealing to their emotions. Once he was in control, propaganda was used to support the parties ideas.

This illustration appeared in a German magazine. It shows representations of the Soviet Union, USA, and Great Britain coming out of the mouth of a Jewish man. It seems to be suggesting that Jews are the origin of all these countries, which were hostile toward Germany. This was probably used by the Nazis to support their use of Jews are as a scapegoat and justify the hostile actions being used against them.

It is not so hard to see how Hitler and the National Socialist Party came to power when you consider the views of the German people at the time. The Weimar Republic had a terrible image and little support from the citizens. Hitler was able to appeal to people’s emotions and used propaganda effectively to increase his influence. I think it shows that we need to think critically about what we see and hear, and not just jump for the solution wrapped in the prettiest package.

Third picture from here: [Link]

Liberalism and Nationalism

A trend that I noticed while reading the required chapters is stated in this quote from the book; “liberalism and nationalism represented two sides of the same coin” (Hagen 138). At many points along the path to the unification of Germany, the people trying to bring about reform in the form of a new constitution and greater liberty were also the strongest advocates for a unified Germany. 

 A painting of the Congress of Vienna

 After the War of Liberation against Napoleon was won, the German people hoped that Germany would remain unified and that the promises of a new constitution would be upheld. However, the statesmen and diplomats that met at the Congress of Vienna in 1815 wished to return to the relative stability of the separate nation states and not upset the balance of power in Europe by creating a large new country in the middle of the continent. The people didn’t like this resolution and many University students protested. After the first political assassination in Germany in over 500 years occurred, the chief ministers of the German states, fearing that the violence would escalate, decided to suppress the revolutionary movements ruthlessly. The German states went back to their old ways and for a time there was peace (110-111).

Revolutionists carry flags that will one day become the national flag during the March Revolution

 

Over time, however, resentment over the broken promises built. Government heads tried to control public opinions through their control of the press and increased police pressure when demands were made for more political participation. The liberal opposition gained support while at the same time threats of a French invasion caused the idea national unity to also gain strength. In March of 1848 violence broke out and a revolution began. Liberals demanded freedom of the press and of assembly as well as the rights to form political parties and bear arms. The ruler of Prussia at the time, Frederick William IV, tried to set himself up as the best choice to be the leader of the unified Germany and calmed the people by promising to call a Prussian national assembly to draw up a constitution for Prussia. In May of 1848 a German National Assembly met, but a fight broke out over which regions to include in the new Germany and when a constitution was finally written it was not recognized. Fearing that revolution would soon reach new levels of violence, many liberals decided to be content with the progress that had been made. All over Germany new constitutions had been written and rulers shared power with parliaments. Germany was still separated, but the revolution came to an end (118-127). 

Napoleon III, who followed in the footsteps of his uncle

 

In 1859 the renewed threat of invasion by the French made Germans call out for the security of a unified country once again. A major exception to the theme of liberalism and nationalism coming as a pair was Otto von Bismarck. A conservative with a plan to unify the German nations, he became the prime minister of Prussia in 1862. Though not happy with his methods, liberals were forced to admit that they were effective.  It was through Bismarck’s careful planning that Germany finally became a unified country, not as a democracy, but an empire under control of the former King of Prussia (136-138).  

 Otto von Bismarck, who brought about the unification of Germany

From 1815 until the time Germany was finally unified in 1871, it was usually the progressive and well educated liberals that advocated the most for a combined German nation. They wanted to be able to participate in the politics that governed their lives and wanted a strong country that wouldn’t roll over every time it was threatened. Through a couple of revolution and with the help of Otto von Bismarck, they got what they wanted for the most part.

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