Comparing the Nazis and the Party of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)

1298 Words3 Pages

Similarities between Nazis and the Party of 1984

The government of Nazi Germany greatly resembled the Party, the government in 1984. Both operated similarly and had similar aims. Anything either government did was an action for maintaining power. Both the Nazis and the Party maintained similar ideologies, controlled mass media, educated children in their beliefs, had a secret police force, and had forced labor camps. Both governments used each of these methods maintain power and control over the people.

Nazis and the Party had very similar ideologies. Although Nazis eliminated people because of their religion (Sauer 683) and the Party eliminated people because of their anti-Party feelings (Orwell 187), they both tried to eliminate anyone who did not agree with them. This practice was essential for controlling the masses and holding on to power. Retaining power is much easier for a government when the entire population that government rules agrees with its philosophies. No one would attempt to remove the current government from power if he or she agreed with that government.

Control of the media was another very effective means of controlling a population. The Nazis established a ministry of propaganda on March 13, 1933 (Sauer 678). This office controlled all media, such as books, newspapers, and films ("Modern World History: Nazi Germany"). The Ministry of Truth was an essential factor in perpetuating the beliefs of the Party and did the same as the Nazis' propaganda ministry (Orwell 39). By controlling any and all mass media, both governments more easily controlled the ideas of the people. If someone were never exposed to a certain idea or belief by the media, most likely he or she would not imagine that idea on h...

... middle of paper ...

...Times 20 October 2001: Overseas News 21.

"Modern World History: Nazi Germany." British Broadcasting Corporation. 27 November 2001 < http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/modern/nazi/nazihtm.htm >.

Orwell, George. 1984. New York, New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., 1949.

Sauer, Wolfgang. "Germany." Encyclopedia Americana. 2001.

OUTLINE

The government of Nazi Germany greatly resembled the Party, the government in 1984, as both were very power-hungry governments.

I. System of government

A. A. Nazi and Party ideology

B. B. Propaganda and control of media

II. Children

A. Education of children

B. Youth organizations

III. Prisoners and concentration camps

A. The Gestapo and the Thought Police

B. Disappearance and re-education of people

C. Concentration and extermination camps

More about Comparing the Nazis and the Party of George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984)

Open Document