“Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it.” -Adolf Hitler
Propaganda
The social warfare between Japan and the United States incorporated the strong national pride of people as well as their pure hatred for the other country. Many of this was achieved by the use of media which included newspapers, books, film and radio. These were utilized for propaganda against the enemy. Much of this was racist and related to ethnic supremacy and racial inferiority. A person’s own nation was consistently civilized while the enemy’s was considered “sub-human” and “barbaric.”
Catchy phrases and slogans reinforced a responsibility and instilled a since of duty, and soon became a popular part of culture. The Japanese war slogan “Hakko Ichiu,” meant “Eight corner of the World under one roof.” This, in turn, created a since of brotherhood among all races within Japan, uniting them as one.
Art also led to an increase in national pride and support of the war effort by signs such as “help our troops.” Radio and film also contributed to this as they brought to life what posters and signs worked to convey by using media such as war documentaries.
Propaganda was the driving force of human impulses and emotions during World War II, which ultimately was more powerful than politics and military actions.
Propaganda was used to “sway’’ the thoughts of the people and gain support for the nation’s war effort. Take the use of gas chambers during the Holocaust as an example. Educating people of the horrific ways of the enemy was used as an effective part of Allied propaganda to gain more support for the effort of the Allied forces.
Catchy phrases and slogans reinforced a responsibility and instilled a since of duty, and soon became a popular part of culture. The Japanese war slogan “Hakko Ichiu,” meant “Eight corner of the World under one roof.” This, in turn, created a since of brotherhood among all races within Japan, uniting them as one.
Art also led to an increase in national pride and support of the war effort by signs such as “help our troops.” Radio and film also contributed to this as they brought to life what posters and signs worked to convey by using media such as war documentaries.
Propaganda was the driving force of human impulses and emotions during World War II, which ultimately was more powerful than politics and military actions.
Propaganda was used to “sway’’ the thoughts of the people and gain support for the nation’s war effort. Take the use of gas chambers during the Holocaust as an example. Educating people of the horrific ways of the enemy was used as an effective part of Allied propaganda to gain more support for the effort of the Allied forces.
Nazi Germany
Joseph Goebbels was in charge of the Ministry for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda that polluted and brainwashed all of Germany. All writers, journalists and writers were required to register with one of the subordinate chambers of the Ministry which included the press, radio, literature, fine arts, theater, music and film. Hitler was impressed by the victory of the Allies’ propaganda during World War I, which ultimately led him to using so much of it during World War II. Broadcasters were prohibited from speaking information that was not in accordance with German policies, which ultimately led them to broadcasting more propaganda since it was the only thing they were allowed to share. They recognized that this was immoral, as it was spreading more and more false information. This was all known as the “Big Lie.” German audiences were constantly reminded of the Nazi Party’s struggle against internal enemies (especially Jews) as well as foreign enemies. Germans in other countries including Czechoslovakia, Poland, the Baltic States and the Soviet Union were told that their blood ties to Germany were stronger and held more importance than their allegiance to their new countries. Everyone was also persistently reminded of the “greatness of German cultural, scientific, and military achievements."
Adolf Hitler
Leader
and founder of the Nazi Party, Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) was one of the most authoritative
and dishonorable dictators of the 20th century. After World War I, he came to
sovereignty through the National Socialist German Workers Party, taking hold of
the German administration in 1933. His construction of concentration camps to confine
Jews and other groups he assumed to be a hazard to “Aryan supremacy” ended in
the death of more than 6 million people in the famous and devastating event
known as the Holocaust. Hitler was the author of the potent propaganda tool: Mein Kampf. His attack and conquering of Poland in 1939 instigated World
War II, and by 1941, Germany inhabited large land areas in much of Europe and
North Africa. The tables turned following a conquest of Russia and the U.S. admission
into the war, and Hitler committed suicide shortly before Germany’s overthrow.