Berlin Olympics

The Nazis also used sport as a form of propaganda. The government co-ordinated the sporting bodies under a Reich's sports Fuhrer.  The Hitler youth and DAF organised various activities for the masses. Activities which would help develop fit bodies for that of a soldier or child bearer. 

A poster for the advertising of the games.

In 1936 the government made a greater effort to ensure that sporting propaganda was a success. The Berlin games should of been held in 1916 when the stadium was ready, but instead was put back to 1936 and construction re-started on a Modernist style of stadium. Because Hitler disliked this 'glass box' and insisted on something on a gigantic scale. The existing steel structure was covered in stone to also create a memorial to fallen soldiers to link militarianism with sport; it was out of spirit with the Olympics; Hitler said "he who wishes to live must also fight. And he who will not strive in this world of struggle does not deserve the gift of life."

To Hitler the Olympics were a chance to show physical superiority of the Germans as the master race, there organisational skills and enhance the countries international status. While there was international visitors the level of anti-Semitic propaganda was reduced and the emphasis was on international instead of individual competition. 

 A photograph taken from the Games. 

Max Schmeling's success as a heavyweight boxer, who knocked out Joe Louis in New York in 1936 was used further to demonstrate Nazi supremacy. Football however wasn't Germany's strongest game and wasn't able to match Italy's triumph of winning the world cup. But overall the games meant a rise in Germany's status and they managed to get the English to give the Nazi solute before the 1938 game; giving them a boost. And for those 2 weeks in August 1936; Adolf Hitler's Dictatorship covered its racist, militaristic character; calming down on it anti-Semitic agenda and plans for territorial expansion. Allowing the games to dazzle many foreign spectators and journalists with a peaceful and tolerant Germany illusion. 

Literature - The books that survived...

After the burning of the books ceremony, in Berlin, when 20,000 books; fiction and non fiction were burnt to cleanse Germany. many novelists such as Thomas Mann and Stefan Zweig went into exile. others stayed but were forbidden to publish and some were put into prison. Novelist were expected to promote Nazi ideology or be neutral in there writing styles and opinions. Favorited novels of the time included about comrades in the trenches, and the 'blood and soil' novels which stressed the traditions rural peasant values. 

Many children's books included stories about the 'dirty Jews' and how they were not to be trusted ect, these were taught in schools as well as for 'bedtime' reading. When you look at the grand scheme of things to do with education of the youth and the parental upbringing, of which of course wasn't going to go against the Nazis due to the fear of being taken away and killed; it shows how effective propaganda was in literature sense. Especially in the younger generations as they were bought up reading and following Nazi ideology, knowing no different.

The propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbles did not think a lot of the books however and didn't see why Hitler put up with some of the publications as they were so 'terrible'. For example; one children's book called the 'poisoned mushroom, or Der Giftpilz, which is the German word for toadstool. This publication was by Julius Streicher and his publication house. It was aimed at kids and sometimes used in schools. It's stories included; 'how to recognise a Jew' 'how Jewish traders cheat' 'are there any decent Jews?' and many more awful titles. 
To read some of the stories; click on the link below. 

Stories from the book 'the poisonous mushroom'

The effectiveness of Nazi propaganda

Nazi propaganda was effective for various reasons, one reason was that it was powerful because it enjoyed a state monopoly, therefore was skilfully deployed to often reinforced popular prejudices.

Propaganda was also effective in securing the consolidation of the dictatorship, demonstrating state paternalism and reinforcing Nazi ideas for the family and young people, as there was no escape from the various posters, ideology in books and education, painting and many more. Many forms of Propaganda also encouraged a growing sense of Nationalism and the marginalisation of the Jews; showing a growing hatred towards them. It was successful though because for many Germans, propaganda dulled their senses and lulled them into a sense of security or helplessness; and when fear is involved, people tend to stick to what others are doing. 

There were, however, limits to the success of propaganda. The Germans were a highly educated and cultured nation and propaganda failed when it was crude or oppressive. As many didn't agree with the way other parties and people were treated.