Adolf Hitler's Use of Propaganda

Adolf Hitler’s use of Propaganda

Adolf Hitler took control of Germany prior to World War II in the 1930s. His influence of anti-Semitism and national pride for Germany fueled him to commit many of the crimes he and his Nazi party had committed. Many people found it hard to believe that such terrible and heinous crimes could be committed for so long. One major tool to Hitler’s European takeover was propaganda. This propaganda was used to show Germans in a positive light and most non-Germans in a negative light. Many argue that propaganda could not brainwash an individual, but it was shown that Hitler was very successful in getting the German people’s support by utilizing propaganda, especially with the youths of Germany.

Free will is one of the biggest arguments against the brainwashing Hitler did upon the German youth. Hitler was a Christian, and as a Christian he “believed” that God gave him a mind and a will so he could make decisions on his own and choose freely. Free will is one of the most important aspects of Christianity, as stated in Philemon 1:14, “But I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord”. Just like the youth of Germany could have chosen on their own not to follow Hitler and support his irrational ideas.

Another view on the issue of why propaganda had nothing to do with the rise of Hitler’s power was that Germans, among history, had a natural tendency for conservative politics. This means “the Germans would have followed a path of nationalism with or without Hitler and his use of propaganda.” (Gerard, Joseph; interview) Hitler even said himself, “Neither threats nor will warnings prevent me from going my way. I follow the pat...

... middle of paper ...

...emorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Council, 10 June 2013. Web. 01 Apr. 2014.

"The History and Society of Germany." Germany's History and Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Apr. 2014.

Goldhagen, Daniel J. Hitler's Willing Executioners; Ordinary Germans and the Holocaust. New York: Alfred A.Knopf, n.d. Print.

Personal interview. 8 Apr. 2014. Gerard, T, Joseph

Rees, Laurence. Chapter 7 The Man Who Will Come. Hitler's Charisma; Leaving Millions Into the Abyss. London: Ebury, 2012. 98-107. Print.

Roberts, J.M. History of the World. New York: Oxford UP, 1993. Print.

Spielvogel, Jackson J. "Chapter 25 The Beginning of the Twentieth-Century Crisis: War and Revolution." Western Civilization. Eighth ed. N.p.: Nancy Blaine, n.d. 804-10. Print.

The Holy Bible Containing the Old Testament and the New. Cambridge: Printed by John Field ..., 1668. Print.