Nuremberg Rallies- case study

First rallies in jan and aug 1923 in munich-20,000 attendees

Effective at spreading nazi propaganda- hitler giving up to 20 speeches at the week long festival with magazines published after 1934 for those who couldn't make it.

1927- nuremberg selected for rallies because of its central location and ideal stadium. 

Rallies lasted a week, at least 50,000 attendees at each one.

Military marching and bands playing music of Wagner, nazi flags displayed throughout nuremberg.

Hitler would arrive late to portray power. 

The blutfahne (blood flag) was allegedly covered in the blood of andreas Bauriedl who died in the munich putsch (failed attempt by hitler to overthrow govt)

New ss and sa members would be sworn in by this flag at rallies

Each rally had a theme

1933- hitler praised german army

1934 rally of strength and unity- - Dr Gerhard Wagner gave a speech justifying the upcoming nazi policy of euthinasia. 

-celebrated hitlers rise to power, albert speer (hitlers architect) made a 1,300 foot stone podium, above it hung a 100 foot eagle, and a swastika. Speer also created a ‘cathedral of light’ for 1934 rally.

The 1934 rally (strength and unity) was made into a film ‘triumph of the will’ directed by leni Riefenstahl, glorifying nazis and hitler. 120 people worked on the film, modern techniques being used. It had no commentary but showed disciplined groups moving in coordination and cheering crowds of 700,000 

Goebbels asked Riefenstahl to make a film in 1933, she suffered a nervous breakdown because of his constant interference, and was persuaded to return to work for nazi party in 1934 by hitler.

She made a film of the 1936 berlin olympic games. 

Reifenstahl was arrested for four years following WWII

She found it difficult to find work after the war.

1935 rally of freedom- conscription was reintroduced to germany (forced by law to join armed services). And the 1935 nuremberg laws were announced- 1. The protection of german blood and german honour, 2. The Reich citizenship laws- starting the step of removing jews from german society.

Marriage between jew and german banned, jews banned from employing german women under 45 (unable to have kids), jews were now ‘state citizens’ not german citizens.

1936 rally of honour- named because of german reoccupation of rhineland (banned under treaty of versailles)- evils of communism and economic self sufficiency were discussed

1937 rally of labour- celebrated reduction in unemployment since nazi power (only because they weren't counting jews as german citizens)

1938 rally of greater germany- celebrated the Anschluss (union) with austria, and dealt with international affairs. And hitler warned the Czech govt (he would later invade within a few months)

1939 rally for peace was planned for first week of september, hitler cancelled it on aug 15, as Germany invaded poland on sep 1, starting WWII, when no rallies took place.

Main events of rallies

Almost religious focus on hitler, party members marched infront of him though town centre. Torchlight parades were popular

After the parade, hitler gave a speech. 

Hitler youth was also inspected

Hitler used propaganda like speeches, marches, flags, emblems, and music. He liked foreign journalists to attend to demonstrate strength to world.

The great auditorium- 1934- hitlers architect (Albert Speer) begins work on a great auditorium in nuremberg (60,000 seat hall and 405,000 seat stadium). They were to be built from marble and granite, and be illuminated by torchlight and floodlights at night. During 1937 rally the cornerstone was laid. Estimate cost 250 billion pounds- hitler viewed it like ruins of ancient rome that people would see for generations. However, work was slow during WWII, and in 1942 the cranes were removed to Auschwitz, and it remains unfinished.

Hitlers propaganda aimed to promote sense of unity, so people felt their role was to ‘serve germany’, develop the cult of personality of hitler who could do no wrong, inspire pride in aryan ‘master’ race, develop hatred o jews, encourage german nationalism-criticised treaty of versailles.

Fuhrer principle- the cult of personality that glorified hitler

Hitller youth- all boys 14-18 expected to join, female group was league of german maidens

volksemfanger/peoples receiver- cheap radio built to spread nazi message.

“That is the secret of propaganda: to permeate the person it aims to grasp without his even noticing that he is being permeated.” -Goebbels (not full quote)