(097/0470/2147) An essay for CIE and O level History "The Munich putsch was a total failure for Adolf Hitler.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.
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Nayli Nadia
How important was the work of Goebbels in the Nazi takeover of Germany?
Joseph Goebbels was the minister of propaganda in Nazi Germany as well as one of the most notable
men during the time. His work often included but not limited to: indoctrinating the citizens with pro-
Nazi views using mass-produced radios (Volksempfanger), movies, newspapers (Der Angriff), music
and fine arts. Essentially, his role was to make sure Hitler was viewed positively by the Germans and
shun all opposition towards him or his ideology to ensure Hitler’s expansionism and totalitarian
regime.
To start off, Joseph Goebbels work can be deemed as important as it led to many Germans during
the time to support Hitler and thus, consolidating his power as the Fuhrer. For example, he
controlled some of the most influential news press in Germany; Goebbels only allowed what would
make Hitler more admirable and pleasing to the regime to be printed. He also had electrical engineer
Otto Griessing to come up with a simple and affordable radio to be mass-produced called
Volksempfanger whereby two thirds of German household had owned one. By doing so, the majority
of the people were able to listen to tune in to whatever Nazi ideology was blasted due to its
accessibility.
Entertainment-wise, the minister of propaganda and censorship also ensured the films and
documentaries to be used to spread Nazi ideologies as well as to spread prejudices towards Jews
and other minorities in the country. For example, the antisemitic ‘’Eternal Jew’’ by Fritz Hippler was
vastly popular and ‘’Hitlerjunge Quex’’ by Hans Steinhoff was anticommunist. Furthermore, he
planned on educating the public on “Degenerate Arts” by putting on an art exhibition made to
ridicule the artworks; they mainly consisted of modern or avant-garde artworks like those of the
Impressionists, Cubists and Dadaists. Jazz music was also banned due to black people being the
majority of participants in the aforementioned genre and thus, seen as inferior music. On the other
hand, Wilhem Richard Wagner’s compositions were thought to personify Nazism due to the idea
that the composer happened to be fitting in to the Aryan standards.
By censoring unwanted music/films/arts and creating propagandas to pander to Nazi ideology, it
aided in their success to take over Germany as a totalitarian state by an authoritarian leader. Along
with the ever-so-popular groups/unions like the Hitler Youth, League of German Girls, German
Teachers’ Association and many more, the support of Hitler became widespread as they had been
indoctrinated at a young age as well as in many aspects of their life- whether it be personal or
professional. Goebbels essentially was a key figure in expanding Nazism in Germany for he ‘cleansed’
the region of unwanted medias and continued to accentuate those that are deemed to be beneficial
to increase Nazi support. These works by Joseph Goebbels enabled the openness to the notion that
Hitler, as Germany’s Fuhrer, was leading the country to their Third Reich; essentially doing whatever
it takes to successfully achieve his foreign policy.
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