The following images contain historical representations of Nazi symbols and propaganda. They are for documentation and analysis purposes only and are not endorsed
At its core, storytelling is the art of creating narratives that inspire the audience. This includes creating different characters, developing plots, and evoking different emotions. Effective storytelling can transport audiences to other worlds, inspire empathy, and change perspectives. As Steve Jobs once said, “The most powerful person in the world is the storyteller. The storyteller sets the vision, values, and agenda of an entire generation that is to come.” (Raja, 2023). This as another example highlights the immense power of storytelling.
Propaganda, on the other hand, is the active dissemination of information – facts, arguments, rumors, half-truths, or lies – to influence public opinion. When combined with storytelling tactics, propaganda becomes even more effective. By creating captivating narratives, propagandists can bypass critical thinking and thus appeal to deep-seated emotions and exploit them for their own ends. In certain cases, methods such as ‘scapegoating’ are used, where a person or group is used to achieve a specific purpose. This method has the purpose of transferring the blame to them and thus presenting the image that all problems are caused by this group and must therefore be eliminated (Prejudice in Society: Sociological Perspectives, 2015). The ‘knife in the back’ myth was a central component of National Socialist propaganda. It was used to explain the defeat in the Second World War and to shift the blame away from the Nazi leadership. By claiming that the German people had been ‘betrayed’ from within, the Nazis were able to fuel hatred towards certain groups and deny their own responsibility for the regime’s crimes (Hindenburg Spreads “Stab-in-the-Back” Myth, n.d.).
When it comes to Storytelling various methods were used, including the simplification of complex issues. As a result, complex problems and themes were simplified. Among other things, simple solutions were then also offered to such complex problems, which were mostly black-and-white thinking and did not consider the complexity at all. Again, the methods mentioned above were used making it easier to communicate to a broader audience. Another variant was repetition, where important messages were repeated again and again to get them into people’s heads. As a result, many messages were later internalized at a subconscious level and inner action or thinking changed. For propaganda purposes, emotional appeal was also an important way of reaching people. Stories were designed to evoke strong emotions, such as fear, anger, and pride. The use of symbols in National Socialist propaganda contributed significantly to shaping public opinion and promoting a sense of national unity. Symbols such as the swastika, the eagle, and the oak leaf were carefully selected and used to evoke certain emotions and associations. These visual cues simplified complex ideological concepts and enabled the Nazi regime to create a strong and enduring visual identity. By integrating these symbols into every aspect of public life, from architecture to art to everyday objects, the Nazis sought to create a totalizing environment that left no room for dissent (Takala & Auvinen, 2016).
One of the most notorious examples of Nazi propaganda is Leni Riefenstahl’s film “Triumph of the Will” (1935). This documentary, chronicling the 1934 Nuremberg Rally, employed a range of cinematic techniques to create a visually stunning and emotionally charged spectacle (Candler, 2016). Riefenstahl masterfully manipulated viewers’ emotions through her use of music, camera angles, and editing. Soaring orchestral scores, coupled with sweeping aerial shots and close-ups of adoring faces, fostered a sense of collective euphoria. Hitler, portrayed as a charismatic leader bathed in spotlights, commanded the unwavering devotion of the masses, further reinforcing the image of an unstoppable and unified Nazi movement. The sheer scale of the rallies, with thousands of uniformed party members marching in perfect synchronization, instilled awe and intimidation (Candler, 2016).
Although film and others were powerful instruments, they were just one small piece of the Nazi propaganda machine. Radio programs became an omnipresent platform for the dissemination of news and speeches, often infused with nationalist and anti-Semitic rhetoric. Newspapers, which were tightly controlled by the regime, picked up on these messages and suppressed all alternative voices. Posters that were displayed in public places used bold images and simple slogans designed to evoke fear, anger, and blind obedience (Fürstenau, 2020). The color red became the symbol of strength, power, and revolution – a visual representation of Nazi ideology. Black, on the other hand, was used to demonize the ‘enemy’, while white symbolized Aryan purity (zsong@conncoll.edu, n.d.). Similarly, bold, sans-serif fonts were used in propaganda materials to convey a sense of urgency and absolute authority.
How the Nazis mastered propaganda techniques has had a lasting impact on the world. Even today, these methods continue to be used by authoritarian regimes and extremist groups to manipulate public opinion and justify violence
References:
Raja, M. (2023, June 2). Why Do We Fall For Narratives? – love what you make – Medium. Medium. https://medium.com/love-what-you-make/why-do-we-fall-for-narratives-a5605d55726c
Hindenburg spreads “Stab-in-the-Back” myth. (n.d.). https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/timeline-event/holocaust/before-1933/hindenburg-spreads-stab-in-the-back-myth
Prejudice in Society: Sociological Perspectives. (2015). Science Direct. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/scapegoating#:~:text=Scapegoating%20Theory,-Scapegoating%20theory%20says&text=Similarly%2C%20the%20theory%20of%20scapegoating,failure%20to%20some%20vulnerable%20group.
Candler, P. (2016). How a Nation Lost Its Mind. La Review of Books. https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/nation-lost-mind/
Fürstenau, M. (2020, November 30). How the Nazis used poster art as propaganda. dw.com. https://www.dw.com/en/how-the-nazis-used-poster-art-as-propaganda/a-55751640
Takala, T., & Auvinen, T. (2016). The Power of Leadership Storytelling: Case of Adolf Hitler. In Tamara : Journal for Critical Organization Inquiry (Vols. 14–14, Issue 1, pp. 21–34). Kozminski University. https://jyx.jyu.fi/bitstream/handle/123456789/49268/etamara%20art%20adolf%20hitler%20storytelling.pdf?sequence=1
