During both world
wars, art was used as a form on propaganda to influence German attitudes
and patriotism. Art is a form of expression and combined with
propaganda, it could create power without saying a word. The Nazis,
being an influential group already, used this art to influence even
more people. Art could communicate with people that do appreciate art;
it also would be able to communicate with people, simply walking down
the street.
Learning more about the Nazis and how they
managed to influence so many people was what I wanted to learn. The
art used to influence and speak to the public of Germany was simplistic.
It showed something that would seem positive to the public, it was very
effective. It was also was, and had to be, available to everyone, not
just the people that attended the speeches, or had a radio to listen
to. The art on posters, stamps, and in film reached everyone, no matter
what. The films showed clips of a powerful leader, proud countrymen,
and patriotic music and words. It led people to believe in something
they could achieve. Not only did art in propaganda influence people,
it controlled them. Some drawings portrayed Jews as deformed, cruel,
greedy communist, leading people to hate them, as communist were hated
greatly. Not only were the drawings on posters but there were films
such as the Eternal Jew, portraying Jews as rats infesting the cities
and towns. By use of propaganda those of non-Jewish decent fostered
hatred towards the Jews and believed in Hitler completely. This propaganda
spoke to the people through art, quietly in a poster and loudly in film.
Since my topic was the use of art for Nazi propaganda
I had to do something that involved the art I would find during my research,
such as a website or board. A website would allow me to do more with
the art; a website would also allow me to write more while using many
pieces of art to support my thesis. So after two or three weeks of choosing
a topic, developing a thesis and a medium to use, I conducted the research
required to complete this project. I spent much of my time on the Internet
and in the library looking for information; I found many credible sites
that had a plethora of information about what types of propaganda the
Nazis used. While looking through art books belonging to my mother,
I found information of Leni Riefenstahl, a famous film director associated
largely with the films she made on behalf of the Nazi movement. After
I conducted my research, I began to work on my website using postcards
of Nazi propaganda I borrowed from my teacher and writing I had done
from doing my research.
The website proved difficult to create, however, it
got done and the valuable lessons learned on the effects of propaganda
in general and how it was used as a communication tool was very enlightening.