The Seeds of
Evil: Germany 1919 - 1933. |
Nazi Party methodology in the period leading up to, and including, the Munich
Putsch.
Propaganda is a means of advertising a political idea. In the case of the NSDAP
in its early days this took the form of posters, public meetings / spe
eches and a conscious decision to present the party in a particular
manner.
Posters: Click on these thumbnails to see larger versions
of these examples of early Nazi Propaganda.
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"Citizens! Do not believe that the Germany of misfortune
and misery, the nation of corruption and usury, the land of Jewish corruption,
can be saved by parties that claim to stand on a foundation of facts.
Never!"
This poster advertised a speech that Hitler was due to make in May
1920. |
Another early example of a Nazi poster, again inviting
people to attend a speech by Adolf Hitler in Munich. The choice of colours
here is deliberate. Red was believed to 'arouse the opponents' of National
Socialism - and of course, is highly visible and therefore attracts
more attention.
This poster dates from 1921. |
| Following the failure of the Munich Putsch it is noticeable
that the design of the Propaganda posters alters quite radically. Early
posters such as these are largely text based, make use of rhetoric and
entice the passer by through use of striking background colours and carefully
chosen slogans. Later examples of Propaganda Posters tend to be image
based, portraying the strength of National Socialism, portraying Germany
as the Fatherland etc. |
Rhetoric
This example of Hitters use of Rhetoric as a Propaganda tool dates from May
1923, at the time when French and Belgian troops were occupying the Ruhr and
hyperinflation was at its peek. In it Hitler appeals to the National Pride of
the people and plays on the economic crisis and its consequences.
| My dear fellow Germans!
When Cuno became Chancellor of the German Reich people said that the
failure of the policy of compliance necessitated a change in the leadership
of the Reich. What did the policy of compliance mean then? That's very
simple: you must try as far as possible to satisfy your adversary's
demands so as to make Germany's recovery possible. It was unimportant
whether or not there was any legal basis for these demands. No state
could do more than Germany to fulfil them. But the German People are
required to make reparations which exceed the entire wealth of the nation.
So these requirements must have a very definite purpose, an agenda which
goes far beyond economics. France does not want reparations; it wants
the destruction of Germany, the fulfilment of an age-old dream; a Europe
dominated by France.
"Reparations" are nothing but a "legal device"
intended to bring a state to its knees with a facade of legality, to
destroy the fabric of a nation and to replace one state with a conglomeration
of small states which consume and destroy each other.
So the only way that the Government could satisfy France was by liquidating
the German Reich, by bringing about its dissolution. Satisfying France
is not an economic but a political question. This was what caused the
downfall of Dr. Wirth. To satisfy France he would have to destroy Germany;
that he cannot do; and what he can do, will not satisfy France... But
it is the fire in the hearts of Germany's young folk which will bring
us ultimate victory. It will be they who will sustain the state which
they will create for themselves. New young warriors are coming forward
in Germany, young men who have already shed their blood for their Fatherland
but know full well that because of those who rule Germany today their
blood was shed in vain. The parliamentarians do not enjoy the respect
of the nation; they have to pass protective legislation to defend themselves.
Germany can be saved only by the dictatorship of the national will and
determination to take action.
People ask: is there someone fit to be our leader? Our task is not
to search for that person. Either God will give him to us or he will
not come. Our task is to shape the sword that he will need when he comes.
Our task it to provide the leader with a nation which is ready for him
when he comes!
My fellow Germans, awaken! The new day is dawning!
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