Assess the Importance of Propaganda in the Maintenance of Nazi Power Between 1933 and 1939.

A prominent element in the maintenance of Nazi power and control in the Third Reich between 1933 and 1939 was propaganda. Both Hitler and Goebbels exhibited an innate understanding of the needs of the German population and of what constituted effective propaganda. Thus, as a result of this intrinsic understanding, the Nazi propaganda which they created was thoroughly effective as it appealed to the nation remarkably. The Nazi media monopoly and Goebbels’ utilisation of it convinced the mass of the German people of the benefits of Nazi Rule. Doubts which some Germans had towards this regime were silenced by Goebbels’ development of the “Fuhrer Myth”, which sought to deify Hitler. The pervasiveness of Nazi terror and repression from the SA, the Gestapo, Concentration Camps and the SS was of further importance to the maintenance of Nazi power. However, although all these features of effective propaganda was present within Germany between 1933 and 1939 to control the Nazi regime so as Hitler and the Nazis faced no potential opposition, the necessity for its extensiveness and omnipotence was minimal as the vast majority of the German population were compliant with the regime.

Propaganda in Germany was of prime importance to the maintenance of Nazi control between 1933 and 1939. Following Joseph Goebbels appointment as the Minister for Enlightenment and Propaganda in March 1933, all aspects of German life and expression came under the influence of Goebbels’ ministry. The Editorial Law passed in October 1933 allowed for the Nazis to summon newspaper editors each day to receive their instructions on what were to be the main news stories of the day, and for them to put great store in the effectiveness of radio. Goebbels’ intellectuality benefited him to not allow propaganda to monopolise the Germans’ airwaves, and consequently desensitise them. He was subtle in his methods of spreading the propaganda message as he ensured there was a good mix