German History, Fascism, Europe - Politics & Government, Public Opinion, Politics & Government - General & Miscellaneous, World War II

Third Reich: Politics and Propaganda

Name: Third Reich: Politics and Propaganda
Author: David Welch
ISBN: 9781134477500

by David Welch

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Overview

The appeal of the Nazi party is one of the most closely studied issues in European history. Its remarkable success has often been attributed to a highly successful propaganda machine: the parades, uniforms, bands and marches which so excited the German public. Here, Professor Welch contends that although propaganda played an important part in mobilising support for the Nazis, propaganda alone could not have sustained the Nazi party and its ideology over such a long period of time. His argument stems from a belief that in order to be successful, propaganda must preach to the partially converted. The book arrives at a number of controversial conclusions about the nature of Nazi propaganda and its effectiveness - as well as its limitations. Writers and historians on the subject have generally assumed that Nazi propagandists invariably achieved their goals. By examining Nazi propaganda in the light of wider interpretative questions about the Third Reich, such as the restructuring of the media, the use of terror, the need for racial purity and Hitler's 'charismatic' leadership, Welch challenges these assumptions and argues that in many ways Goebbels' propaganda machine was a failure. He assesses both the theory and practice of Nazi propaganda, as well as the reactions of the German public to the major themes and campaigns conducted by the State in peacetime and at war and questions whether, behind the facade of national unity there was dissent: and, if so, was it rendered so ineffective by terror alone? There is also a document section which evaluates the speeches of Adolf Hitler and Josef Goebbels, and the laws that shaped the mass-media in the Third Reich. The Third Reich explains the popularity of National Socialism by examining the roles of consent and coercion in sustaining the regime. It will be essential reading for students of European history.