Dr. Paul Joseph Goebbels (1897 – 1945) served as the Minister of Propaganda for Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945. He was Hitler's closest associate and is widely regarded by many experts as the best propaganda and advertising expert of the century, a view held even today.
Joseph Goebbels, born in the German Empire, completed high school in 1917 but was not conscripted into the military due to a congenital disability. He then studied ancient history and German philology, honing his educational background.
Encountering the German Nazi Party in 1923, Goebbels became close to Hitler, with whom he would later co-govern the country. Officially joining the National Socialist German Workers' Party in 1925, Joseph Goebbels assumed a position in the government as the Minister of Propaganda after Hitler's party came to power following the controversial Reichstag fire on March 13, 1933.
Known for his charismatic presence and sharp intellect, Goebbels was adept at employing the Propaganda technique called the 'Big Lie' with great vigor. Through his propaganda efforts, the German populace became aligned with the Nazi Party, and they lived under this propaganda and ideology throughout World War II.
He is infamous as one of the architects responsible for the deaths of six million Jews. Goebbels, who had received a thorough education, once remarked, "The reason Christianity is so effective is that it has been repeating the same thing for 2000 years."
Due to his right leg being shorter than his left by three and a half centimeters, he was not drafted into the military and became known for walking with a limp. Despite this, he was known to be an energetic individual.
His fundamental philosophy was to "tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, and eventually people will believe it." Goebbels expertly camouflaged underlying thoughts with various propaganda techniques, effectively lulling the masses and introducing the 'Big Lie' to the entire world. The theory of the Big Lie, with its key element of deception and manipulation, was masterfully executed.
Particularly, through substantial financial support, he took control of press and media organizations, attempting to influence the populace through strategic and effective propaganda methods. One of his initial actions was the burning of all publications opposing Jews and Nazis at Berlin's Bebel Square.
Divergent opinions were gradually erased and subdued from press and media outlets. Within Goebbels' theories, he viewed the police force and intelligence agency, which he saw as instruments to eliminate any obstacles, as crucial. He aimed to establish a regime of fear through methods of surveillance and tracking.
"Invent a lie, and repeat it incessantly - people will eventually come to believe it." This was Goebbels' approach.
Thus, by removing potential hindrances, systematically acquiring and regulating written and visual media institutions, all criticisms could be neutralized. The constant manipulation of the agenda through various tactical maneuvers effectively washed out the actual truths. Especially when Hitler was presented to the public, he was portrayed as brave, valiant, a man of the people, willing to sacrifice for the German populace and the nation's territories, a profile instilled into the public to garner unwavering support.
A staunch anti-Semite, Goebbels was also one of the staunchest supporters of the war. According to him, the German race would conquer the world, and the leader of this great empire would undoubtedly be the Führer, that is, Hitler. He not only deeply believed in this but also convinced the masses. Moreover, he expended all his energy and resources to prepare the populace for war.
Goebbels was Hitler's staunchest supporter, working closely with him throughout their lives. In the final days of the war, after Hitler's suicide, he assumed leadership of the short-lived Third Reich they established for a day. Subsequently, he declared, "In a world without the Führer, children cannot grow, there can be no growth or development for us," and proceeded to poison his six children before shooting his wife and himself, choosing suicide.
In accordance with their will, the bodies of him and his wife were cremated. According to many experts, he was the best advertiser of the century. He believed in the significance of cinema in propaganda and utilized it. Today, it is suggested that Hollywood imitated him.
Post a Comment