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The 'Reich Ministry for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda' (''Reichsministerium für Volksaufklärung und Propaganda'' or ''Propagandaministerium'') was the Nazi ministry dedicated to enforcing the Nazi ideology on Germany and regulating its culture and society. Founded in January 1933 by Adolf Hitler's new National Socialist government, the Ministry was headed by Dr. Joseph Goebbels and was responsible for controlling the press and culture of Nazi Germany.
The Ministry was based in the Leopold Palace in Berlin-Mitte on the Wilhelmplatz across from the Reich Chancellery.

Contents

Foundations in the Weimar State

Role in the Nazi State

Key Ministers

Propaganda

See Also

Foundations in the Weimar State

E. Stern-Rubarth called for a ''Reichspropagandastelle'', an office for the Reich's propaganda, in 1921, perhaps in response to the Creel Commission which had succeeded in bringing the US population into World War I. However, most political parties and many pressure groups had established independent propaganda centres and the infrequent Reich Governments did not require a national propaganda ministry.
However, propaganda was employed more successfully by the Nazi party and it was certain that the importance of propaganda would remain, if not grow, should the Nazis take power.

Role in the Nazi State

When the Nazis took power the Propaganda Ministry was established almost immediately. It was charged with enforcing Nazi doctrine on the people and controlling public opinion. However, the Ministry became even more important after the outbreak of war.
World War II was conducted more with a much greater level of propaganda than World War I, especially in the new media of film and radio. Because of practical experience and scientific occupation with propaganda in Europe and USA, propaganda was organised in a planned fashion. A new psychological warfare was born.
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In a related move, Eberhard Taubert founded the Antikomintern, an umbrella organisation of all German anticommunist groups. From 1939 he led the Antisemitische Aktion (Anti-Semitic Action group) and worked on the script for the movie ''Der Ewige Jude''.
During the 1930s, US secret services co-financed propaganda productions under Taubert that compared Communists with rats and insects that had to be exterminated.^[1]

Key Ministers

★ ''Minister for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda'': Dr. Paul Joseph Goebbels.

★ ''State Secretary'': Dr. Werner Naumann, (Naumann later became leader of the Ministry when Goebbels was promoted to Reichskanzler in April 1945.

★ ''State Secretary'': Hans Fritzsche, Plenipotentiary for the Political Organization of the Greater German Radio and head of the Radio Division of the Ministry.

Propaganda

Main articles: Nazi propaganda

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The Propaganda Ministry used many mediums to further the National Socialist message and maintain control over the people. Posters, newspapers, publishing and arts were all used and explicitly controlled by the Ministry.
Speeches were also used to great effect by the German Government. Doctor Goebbels' commented on Hitler's first speech as Chancellor: "It will have great propaganda value...be used and viewed in cinemas for years to come...what an achievement." Just before Hitler delivered this speech Goebbels introduced him and used the opportunity to highlight the importance of Propaganda. "It seems you cannot have a good government without good propaganda, but then, you can't have good propaganda without a good government. However, you cannot lie! We must never lie! It is the Jews who must be made to pay for their lies to our people!” However , perhaps the most iconic speech of the whole second World War was also a product of the German Propaganda Ministry. Dr. Goebbels’ Sportpalast speech which was delivered after the German defeat at the Battle of Stalingrad stirred up the people of Germany and is held by some the reason the war lasted as long as it did.

See Also

★ Nazi propaganda

★ Joseph Goebbels

★ Big Lie