Germany: How far do you agree that Nazi censorship was the most effective method used to control the people in the years 1933-45?

Introduction

• Was quite effective, but not the most effective

• A combination of censorship, terror and indoctrination were used to control the people

Paragraph 1

• Censorship was effective

• Radio ownership from 4.5m in 1933 to 16m by 1941

• Reich Chamber of Culture controlled over 100,000 journalists by 1939

• By 1940, 70% of German households owned a radio

Paragraph 2

• Censorship had limitations as a way to control the people

• From 1933-1945, over 3,000 death sentences for ‘radio treason’

• By 1944, 10-15% of Germans listened to BBC broadcasts

• Illegal groups distributed 1,500 leaflets per year

Paragraph 3

• Terror = equally as effective as censorship

• Gestapo received around 150,000 denunciation from ordinary Germans 1933-39

• By 1939, 160,000 held in concentration camps

• 5,000 death sentences in the People’s Court 1934-45

Paragraph 4

• Indoctrination also equally as important

• In the 1934 plebiscite on Hitler, 90% voted in favour of him

• Unemployment fell from 6m to 1m 1933-6

• Membership of Hitler Youth = 8.7m by 1939