Militarism in Nazi Germany The intelligence of the

Militarism in Nazi Germany

“The intelligence of the masses is small. Their forgetfulness is great. They must be told the same thing a thousand times”

Joseph Goebbels In Nazi Germany, Dr Joseph Goebbels was in charge of propaganda. Goebbels’ official title was Minister of Propaganda and National Enlightenment. To his enemies he was nicknamed “the poison dwarf”. Goebbels argued “The essence of propaganda consists in winning people over to an idea so sincerely, so vitally, that in the end they succumb to it utterly and can never again escape from it. ”

Purpose of Propaganda was a tool used by the Nazis to prevent Germans seeing or reading any anti-Nazi viewpoint. Nazi propaganda was used to tell Germans Hitler was saving Germany, that Jews were wicked or that Germany hadn’t really lost the war.

Book Burning In May 1933 Goebbels organised a book burning campaign. Germans were encouraged to burn any book written by enemies of Fascism. This included works by Karl Marx (the founder of Communism), and Albert Einstein, Bertold Brecht, Franz Kafka. Copies of “All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque were burned for “betrayal of the soldiers of the First World War” as it contained themes of the futility of war. http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=s 4_j 4 c 7 Bop 0

What did this have to do with militarism in Germany?

Militarisation in Nazi Germany Learning Intentions: • • I will understand what a ‘militarised’ society means. I will know how German society was militarised and will be able to discuss the implications of this with my peers.

Starter Task: • Examine the posters at right. • What do you see? What do they say? • What propaganda And you on to victory! message is there? • What is ‘militaristic’ about them? The German Student Fighting for the Fuhrer and the German people

Militarisation of Third Reich Every aspect of German life in the 1930 s and 1940 s was ‘militarised’ (driven towards war and conquest) It wasn’t just the army, militarisation could be seen everywhere: Physical education Industry turned to war production (eg: rearming Germany by building planes, guns, u-boats) Children’s education Nazi symbolism in public Public military demonstrations Employment and state-sponsored leisure programs

Sport was seen as essential in Nazi Germany. It helped develop strong Germans, who were needed for the new order. Athletics and gymnastics were undertaken by all. “Sport exists to make a person strong, agile and bold. It also toughens him up and teaches him to bear hardship. ” Hitler Special training manuals were produced. No free or spontaneous sport or dance was allowed as this went against the Nazi sense of order. ? Why do you think Hitler was so obsessed with having a strong, fit, athletic German youth? Do you think sport was enjoyable?

“War” Industry Hitler called for immediate militarisation of factories “We need the world’s ‘first army’. Its development cannot be too large, nor its pace too swift!” “If we do not succeed in bringing the German army as rapidly as possible to the rank of premier army in the world. . . then Germany will be lost!"

Children Had to be a member of Nazi youth organisations. Hitlerjugend and Bund Deutscher Mädel. Hitler Youth Training Video

Militarisation in Education Hitler wrote the following in his book, Mein Kampf: “What we must fight for is to safeguard the existence and reproduction of our race and our people, the sustenance of our children and the purity of our blood, the freedom and independence of the fatherland, so that our people may mature for the fulfilment of the mission allotted it by the creator of the universe. Those who are physically and mentally unhealthy and unworthy must not perpetuate their suffering in the body of their children. ” Discuss with a partner what you think this means.

‘Militarisation’ in Education Schools had to teach racial superiority: School teachers were told to teach children about blood purity young children had grown up, they would accept blood purity as a normal and natural part of life. Older girls were warned about the dangers of engaging in a relationship with a non-Aryan. “a woman defiled by a Jew can never rid her body of the foreign poison she has absorbed. She is lost to her people. ”

Education They also had to take every opportunity to emphasise military tactics: A plane on take off with 12 bombs, each weighing ten kilos, and 1500 kilos of fuel weighs 8 tonnes. The aircraft makes for Warsaw , the centre of international Jews. It bombs the town. When it returned from the crusade, there were still 230 kilos of fuel left. What is the weight of the aircraft when empty? Example maths question from 1938 German textbook THINK: What is the question secretly teaching kids?

‘Militarisation’ in Education Task Make a list noting the differences between education now and education for children in Nazi Germany Make two headings in your jotters: 1930 s Germany Education 2014 Scottish Education List at least four examples in each category

Public Nazi Symbols Swastikas, flags, and other symbols were seen everywhere in Germany German military men in uniform were a constant presence

Nuremberg Rallies Goebbels skill at masterminding propaganda is best remembered for his displays at Nuremberg. He and Albert Speer, organised to show to the world the might of the Nazi nation. In August of each year, huge rallies were held at Nuremberg. Arenas to hold 400, 000 people were built. In the famous night time displays, 150 search lights surrounded the main arena and were lit up vertically into the night sky. Their light could be seen over 100 kilometres away in what a British politician, Sir Neville Henderson, called a "cathedral of light".

The main attraction of these rallies was Hitler. He would whip the crowd into a frenzy with his speeches. The rallies, like German life as a whole, always had a militaristic theme- Nazi flags were flown, the areas were filled with soldiers and members of the Hitler Youth in uniform and drums and trumpets were used to create a blaring noise.

Marches and Rallies- watch!

The Reich Labour Service (RAD) Established in 1935 Initially 6 months compulsory Labour for men aged 19 -25. Women included later Low Wage Military-style uniform and style of work Eg: drilling with spades. Job creation – building of new autobahns Did give young men a regular job and wages, however the main idea behind it was to prepare men to become soldiers.

Source A is from the textbook Germany, written in by John A Kerr in 2003 Government organisation of the workers gave opportunity for brainwashing them. In 1935 the Labour Service was established. This meant that every male between the ages of 18 and 25 had to do six months in public work camps. Camp discipline was semi-military. Camp leaders were given ranks. Men drilled with spades instead of rifles. The Labour Service was an opportunity to spread Nazi propaganda, building upon that already provided by the schools and Hitler Youth. Workers were urged to regard themselves as ‘soldiers of work’. Evaluate the usefulness of Source A as evidence about militarism in Nazi Germany. (You may want to comment on who wrote it, when they wrote it, why they wrote it, what they say or what has been left out. ) 5