Control & Opposition - Propaganda & the Nazi Police State

Flashcards reviewing the use of propaganda and the police state under Nazi Germany.

Why did the Nazis use propaganda?

To indoctrinate the German people and glorify Hitler's leadership.

Who led the Reich Propaganda Ministry?

Josef Goebbels.

What concept promoted by Nazi propaganda emphasized racial purity?

The Aryan Race.

What was the result of the Editor's Law in 1933?

It allowed for the censorship of newspaper reports.

By 1939, what percentage of German newspapers did the Nazis control?

Two-thirds.

What was the purpose of the Nazi propaganda posters?

To disseminate Nazi ideas in public places.

What was the significance of the Reich Radio Company selling cheap radios?

To broadcast Nazi propaganda into people's homes.

What was the main focus of the 1936 Berlin Olympics for the Nazis?

To showcase the superiority of the Aryan race.

Who was Jesse Owens?

A black American athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

What was the Gestapo?

The Nazi secret police responsible for rooting out opposition.

What role did Blockleiters play in Nazi Germany?

They informed the Gestapo of anti-Nazi activities.

What powers did the SS have?

They had powers of arrest and operated concentration camps.

What were opponents of Nazism labeled as?

Enemies of the Nazi State.

How many Germans were sentenced to death by the Peoples Courts?

77,000.

Who was the leading Nazi judge at the Peoples Courts?

Roland Freisler.

What were different colored badges used for in concentration camps?

To identify different groups of prisoners, e.g., red triangles for communists.

What happened to many prisoners in concentration camps?

Beatings, torture, and killings were common.

What methods did the Nazis use to spread their propaganda?

They used newspapers, films, rallies, and posters.

How did Josef Goebbels affect Nazi propaganda?

He created a consistent message and managed all media to align with Nazi ideas.

How did Nazi propaganda change people's views of the Aryan Race?

It portrayed Aryans as superior and promoted beliefs about racial purity.

What did the Editor's Law do to freedom of speech?

It limited what could be published to only pro-Nazi views.

What happened when the Nazis controlled two-thirds of German newspapers?

They could shape public opinion and silence opposing views.

What was the purpose of Nazi propaganda posters?

They aimed to spread Nazi messages in public spaces.

Why was selling cheap radios important for spreading propaganda?

It allowed more people, even the poor, to hear Nazi broadcasts at home.

How did the Nazis use the 1936 Berlin Olympics for propaganda?

They held grand events to show off Aryan athletes and downplay others' successes.

What does Jesse Owens' success at the Olympics show about Nazi beliefs?

It exposed the contradiction of their Aryan superiority claims.

How did the Gestapo get rid of opponents?

They used spying, threats, and arbitrary arrests.

What role did Blockleiters play in Nazi Germany?

They informed higher-up Nazis about anti-Nazi feelings in their neighborhoods.

What tasks did the SS carry out for the Nazi regime?

They enforced laws, ran concentration camps, and arrested political enemies.

Why were opponents called 'enemies of the Nazi State'?

It made it easier to justify their persecution and punishment.

What was the agricultural process in the Peoples Courts like?

They often had unfair trials and punished political enemies harshly.

How did Roland Freisler change the Peoples Courts?

He pushed for quick and severe punishments without fair trials.

What did the colored badges in concentration camps indicate?

They identified different groups of prisoners.

What experiences did many concentration camp prisoners face?

They underwent violence, forced labor,