Propaganda or Not

Propaganda or not?

By Paige Stark

Propaganda is information—like words, pictures, or videos—that’s shared on purpose to make people think or feel a certain way about something. Sometimes it’s true, but often it leaves out facts or twists them so that it convinces people to believe or do what the person who made the propaganda wants.

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What is Propaganda?

​​Propaganda

aims to shape beliefs or actions about ideas, people, or causes—often in a political way.

Aims to sell products/things

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Propaganda simply means information—often crafted to persuade or influence—that’s spread widely. While the term usually carries a negative connotation, not all propaganda is bad. For example, public‐health campaigns that encourage hand‑washing, seat‑belt use, or vaccinations use persuasive techniques to promote positive behaviors and protect communities. Environmental awareness ads urging people to recycle or conserve water also employ propaganda’s tools—repetition, emotional appeals, clear slogans—to achieve socially beneficial goals.

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Does All Propaganda have to be bad?

Multiple Choice

Propaganda or Advertisement

• Propaganda

• Advertisement

Multiple Choice

Propaganda or Advertisement?

• Propaganda

• Advertisement

Multiple Choice

Propaganda or Advertisement?

• Propaganda

• Advertisement

Multiple Choice

Propaganda or Advertisement?

• Propaganda

• Advertisement

​The Nazis wielded propaganda as a central tool for consolidating power, promoting their ideology, and dehumanizing targeted groups. Under Joseph Goebbels’s direction, the Ministry of Propaganda controlled newspapers, films, radio broadcasts, posters, and mass rallies to deliver a consistent, emotionally charged message of Aryan supremacy, national revival, and unquestioning loyalty to Adolf Hitler.

How did the Nazis use Propaganda?

On the next slide you will visit the Montreal Holocaust Museum Website to look at the “Der Stürmer” Newspaper.

En la siguiente diapositiva, visitará el sitio web del Museo del Holocausto de Montreal para consultar el periódico "Der Stürmer".

Read the description of the newspaper and what happened to the editor, Julius Streicher, after World War II

Lea la descripción del periódico y lo que le ocurrió a su editor, Julius Streicher, después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial.

​Directions

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Multiple Choice

What was Der Stürmer

• A political party focused on environmental issues.
• A historical novel about World War II.
• A German newspaper known for anti-Semitic propaganda.

• A German art magazine promoting Jewish culture.

Multiple Choice

What happened to the editor of Der Stürmer, Julius Streicher?

• Julius Streicher was sentenced to death by hanging for his propaganda

• Julius Streicher was appointed as a government official in 1946.
• Julius Streicher was imprisoned for life in 1946.
• Julius Streicher was exiled to South America in 1946.

​Directions

​On the next slide you will watch clips of a movie from Nazi Germany and learn about the tools it used to spread Propaganda.

En la siguiente diapositiva, verás fragmentos de una película de la Alemania nazi y aprenderás sobre las herramientas que utilizaba para difundir propaganda.


Pay attention to the way they portray Hitler and the tactics they use to make him seem important.

Presta atención a cómo retratan a Hitler y las tácticas que usan para hacerlo parecer importante.

Multiple Choice

What tactics did the movie Triumph of Will (1935) use to show Hitler as a hero?

• It portrayed Hitler as a villain through dark imagery and somber music.
• The film focused on everyday life in Germany without mentioning Hitler.
• It used comedic elements to undermine Hitler's authority.
• Through grand visuals, emotional music, and staged rallies that emphasized his leadership and charisma.

On the next slide you will visit the United States Holocaust Museum and look at a propaganda poster.


En la siguiente diapositiva, visitará el Museo del Holocausto de los Estados Unidos y observará un cartel de propaganda.




Read the description of the poster, what the words mean, and what they wanted people to learn from the poster


Lea la descripción del cartel, el significado de las palabras y qué pretendían que la gente aprendiera del cartel.

​Directions

Collections Search - United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

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Multiple Choice

What did “Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer” mean?

• One Society, One Rule, One Authority
• One People, One Empire, One Leader
• One People, One Nation, One Flag
• One Nation, One Government, One Leader

On the next slide you will visit the United States Holocaust Museum and look at a radio

En la siguiente diapositiva, visitará el Museo del Holocausto de Estados Unidos y observará una radio.

Read the second paragraph under the title The People’s Receiver and pay attention to why the name of the radio alone was propaganda

Lea el segundo párrafo, bajo el título "El Receptor del Pueblo", y preste atención a por qué el nombre de la radio era propaganda.

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Multiple Choice

Why was the Volksempfänger 301 radio a piece of propaganda?

• It was designed for musical entertainment only.
• It was a personal gift from Hitler to his friends.
• It was used to broadcast international news exclusively.
• It was was a reference to January 30, the day Hitler was appointed German chancellor.

On the next slide you will visit the National Library of Scotland.

En la siguiente diapositiva, visitará la Biblioteca Nacional de Escocia.

Read the description and pay attention to what the purpose of the brochures were

Lea la descripción y preste atención al propósito de los folletos.

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Multiple Choice

What were the “Kraft durch Freude” (Strength Through Joy) Brochures?

• Advertising brochures for a new car model in Germany.
• Promotional materials for a government-sponsored travel agency that was free from Nazi rule

• were promotional materials for a Nazi program that encouraged leisure activities for workers

• Brochures promoting healthy eating habits for workers.

​Directions

On the next slide you will visit the Experiencing History Website to look at a Nazi era propaganda book.

En la siguiente diapositiva, visitarás el sitio web "Experimentando la Historia" para consultar un libro de propaganda de la época nazi.

Read the description, view the manuscript, and look at the pictures. Try to decide what it was teaching children about Jewish people.
Lee la descripción, observa el manuscrito y observa las imágenes. Intenta determinar qué enseñaba a los niños sobre el pueblo judío.

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Multiple Choice

What did the book Children’s Book “Der Giftpilz” (“The Poisonous Mushroom,” 1938) teach children about Jewish people

• It suggested that Jewish people were harmless and beneficial, like edible mushrooms.
• It taught children that Jewish people were dangerous and harmful, similar to poisonous mushrooms.
• It depicted Jewish people as wise and knowledgeable, similar to ancient scholars.
• It portrayed Jewish people as helpful and kind, like nurturing plants.

Open Ended

In the children's book "The Poisonous Mushroom" it says:

"Just as it is often very difficult to tell the poisonous from the edible mushrooms, it is often very difficult to recognize Jews as thieves and criminals..."

What were the Nazis "warning" people about with this quote?

Open Ended

Tell me one thing you learned about Nazi propaganda from today's lesson.