Did the antisemitic policy of the National Socialist regime succeed because it was anchored in deeply rooted anti-Jewish sentiments which permeated all classes of the German population? This rather simple question posed by David Bankier, one among many historians of the Third Reich who have been unable to satisfactorily resolve this issue, raises a whole host of complexities which come to dominate any examination of the impact of antisemitic propaganda upon the German population. Have historians, such as Yehuda Bauer, been too willing to assert that Nazi propaganda targeted and subsequently radicalized a pre-existing bedrock of latent antisemitism among the German people?
Such assertions would seem to substantiate Frank Bajohr’s suggestion that antisemitic propaganda functioned within the framework of National Socialist rule as a ‘dictatorship of bottom-up consent’, a Zustimmungsdiktatur which was firmly rooted in the German population’s growing responsiveness to the leadership of the Third Reich. However, the validity of Bajohr’s claim is somewhat undermined by contemporary evidence of the German population’s reactions to antisemitic measures, particularly in SD reports, which frequently reflect Jeffrey Herf’s argument of “a radical Nazi minority operating in a society with a less radical but broad antisemitic consensus, a consensus broad enough to render people indifferent [...]”.
Such indifference must be viewed in terms of a situation whereby the collective concerns, and collective opinion, of the German population were suitably divorced from the abstracted and de-historicized idea of ‘the Jew’ propagandized by the Nazi leadership throughout the war to render the German population desensitized to the plight of the Jews.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The German Population's Response to Antisemitic Measures
- Popular Antisemitism and the Lack of Opposition
- The Impact of War on Popular Attitudes
- Antisemitic Film Propaganda
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This work examines the impact of Nazi antisemitic propaganda on the German population between 1939 and 1945. It investigates whether this propaganda bolstered or undermined pre-existing antisemitism, questioning the extent to which popular antisemitism drove the regime's policies.
- The relationship between Nazi propaganda and pre-existing antisemitism in Germany.
- The role of self-interest and opportunism in shaping the German population's response to antisemitic measures.
- The impact of World War II on public opinion regarding the "Jewish Question."
- The effectiveness of antisemitic film propaganda in influencing public attitudes.
- The extent to which popular indifference or apathy towards the persecution of Jews influenced the regime's actions.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introduction poses the central question of whether Nazi antisemitic policies succeeded due to deeply rooted anti-Jewish sentiments or other factors. It introduces key historians and their differing interpretations of the issue, highlighting the complexities involved in analyzing the impact of propaganda.
The German Population's Response to Antisemitic Measures: This section examines contemporary evidence, particularly SD reports, revealing a more nuanced picture than simple widespread antisemitism. It highlights instances where self-interest and indifference, rather than deep-seated antisemitism, motivated the German population's actions and inaction regarding antisemitic measures. Examples like the Aachen Police report emphasize envy over ideological conviction as a driving force behind denunciations, complicating the narrative of universally accepted antisemitism.
Popular Antisemitism and the Lack of Opposition: This section explores the link between popular antisemitism and the lack of opposition to the purge of Jews. It argues against a simplistic causal relationship, suggesting that self-interest, as seen in denunciations for personal gain (detailed in Wickert's work), played a significant role, undermining the assertion of widespread, ideologically driven antisemitism.
The Impact of War on Popular Attitudes: This section analyzes how the increasing pressures of World War II shifted the German population's focus away from the "Jewish Question." It cites evidence from the Swedish ambassador, SD reports, and Semmler's diary entries to illustrate the growing apathy toward Nazi antisemitic propaganda as people prioritized immediate survival and the war's escalating impact.
Antisemitic Film Propaganda: This section examines the impact of antisemitic films like *Jew Süss* and *Der ewige Jude*, released in 1940. It suggests that while these films aimed to radicalize the population, the overall effect was possibly limited by existing public apathy and the pressing concerns of the war effort.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Nazi propaganda, antisemitism, Germany, World War II, public opinion, popular attitudes, self-interest, indifference, apathy, film propaganda, SD reports, denunciations, "Jewish Question," ideology, radicalization.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Nazi Antisemitic Propaganda's Impact on the German Population (1939-1945)
What is the main focus of this research?
This research examines how Nazi antisemitic propaganda affected the German population between 1939 and 1945. It investigates whether this propaganda strengthened existing antisemitism or whether other factors, such as self-interest and apathy, played a more significant role in shaping public response.
What are the key themes explored in this work?
Key themes include the relationship between Nazi propaganda and pre-existing antisemitism; the influence of self-interest and opportunism on the population's actions; the impact of World War II on public opinion regarding Jews; the effectiveness of antisemitic film propaganda; and the extent to which public indifference or apathy influenced the regime's actions.
What sources are used in this analysis?
The analysis draws upon various sources, including contemporary evidence like SD reports (Sicherheitsdienst – Security Service of the SS), police reports (such as the Aachen Police report), the diaries of individuals (e.g., Semmler's diary), and accounts from foreign observers (e.g., the Swedish ambassador).
What does the research reveal about the German population's response to antisemitic measures?
The research suggests a more nuanced picture than simply widespread antisemitism. While antisemitism existed, self-interest and indifference often motivated actions and inaction regarding antisemitic measures. For example, denunciations were sometimes driven by envy or personal gain rather than purely ideological conviction.
What is the role of self-interest and opportunism in the German population's response?
The research highlights the significant role of self-interest and opportunism. Denunciations for personal gain, as illustrated by examples in Wickert's work, demonstrate that not all negative actions towards Jews stemmed from deeply rooted antisemitism.
How did World War II affect popular attitudes towards the "Jewish Question"?
As World War II progressed, the increasing pressures of war shifted the German population's focus away from the "Jewish Question." Growing apathy towards Nazi antisemitic propaganda is evident in various sources, as people prioritized immediate survival and the war's escalating impact.
What was the impact of antisemitic film propaganda?
While films like *Jew Süss* and *Der ewige Jude* aimed to radicalize the population, their overall impact might have been limited due to pre-existing public apathy and the pressing concerns of the war effort. The research suggests that the films' influence might have been less potent than initially assumed.
What are the key conclusions of this research?
The research challenges simplistic interpretations of widespread, ideologically driven antisemitism as the sole driver of Nazi antisemitic policies' success. It emphasizes the complexity of the situation, highlighting the significant roles of self-interest, indifference, and the overarching impact of World War II in shaping the German population's response.
What are some of the key words associated with this research?
Key words include: Nazi propaganda, antisemitism, Germany, World War II, public opinion, popular attitudes, self-interest, indifference, apathy, film propaganda, SD reports, denunciations, "Jewish Question," ideology, radicalization.
- Citar trabajo
- James Pinnock (Autor), 2011, Nazi Propaganda in Germany, 1939-45. Did the Campaigns Bolster or Undermine Popular Antisemitism?, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/413467
