Propaganda
The Allied forces fought
long and hard against the Nazis in the air and on the ground, but also with the
powerful tool of propaganda.
Following the Nazis' rise to power in 1933, Adolph Hitler established a “Reich Ministry” of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda with Goebbels as its head. Goebbels promoted the Nazi message through art, music, theater, films, books, radio, and the press, and censored all opposition. Goebbels worked to inflame the anger of Germans over their defeat in World War I and emphasized German cultural and military achievements to boost national pride. He played an important role in creating an atmosphere in Germany that made it possible for the Nazis to commit terrible atrocities against Jews and other minorities.
During World War II German propaganda emphasized the prowess of the German army and contrasted it with the British and Allied armies who were depicted as cowards and butchers, or brave but misguided. Russian troops were presented as dehumanized beasts and killers who attacked without fear of death.
The radio broadcasts disseminate propaganda that would damage enemy morale. The British Broadcasting Company's foreign language broadcasts became a key element in the Allied campaign for German loyalties.
After the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, most United Sates citizens were convinced to support the war. To boost wartime production at home and undermine enemy morale in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Photographers documented aspects of home front life and culture such as women in the workforce, and dealt with a wide area of morale issues.
Other propaganda came in the form of posters, movies, and even cartoons that helped to mobilize the Americans to war.
While most propaganda aimed to boost patriotism, some took on racist overtones. The war, movies and cartoons did their part to keep Americans focused on the war effort, even as they were being entertained.
Updated May 12, 2015
Following the Nazis' rise to power in 1933, Adolph Hitler established a “Reich Ministry” of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda with Goebbels as its head. Goebbels promoted the Nazi message through art, music, theater, films, books, radio, and the press, and censored all opposition. Goebbels worked to inflame the anger of Germans over their defeat in World War I and emphasized German cultural and military achievements to boost national pride. He played an important role in creating an atmosphere in Germany that made it possible for the Nazis to commit terrible atrocities against Jews and other minorities.
During World War II German propaganda emphasized the prowess of the German army and contrasted it with the British and Allied armies who were depicted as cowards and butchers, or brave but misguided. Russian troops were presented as dehumanized beasts and killers who attacked without fear of death.
The radio broadcasts disseminate propaganda that would damage enemy morale. The British Broadcasting Company's foreign language broadcasts became a key element in the Allied campaign for German loyalties.
After the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, most United Sates citizens were convinced to support the war. To boost wartime production at home and undermine enemy morale in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Photographers documented aspects of home front life and culture such as women in the workforce, and dealt with a wide area of morale issues.
Other propaganda came in the form of posters, movies, and even cartoons that helped to mobilize the Americans to war.
While most propaganda aimed to boost patriotism, some took on racist overtones. The war, movies and cartoons did their part to keep Americans focused on the war effort, even as they were being entertained.
Updated May 12, 2015