I was recently in Washington, D.C., and made it to a few museums. I’ve always been fascinated with Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, so I had to check out the Holocaust museum. The exhibit focused on one idea in particular that resonates with me – propaganda. Propaganda is defined as “biased information spread to shape public opinion and behavior”. Some common traits include selectively omitting information, simplifying complex issue or ideas, playing on people’s emotions, and targeting specific audiences.
Adolf Hitler was the ultimate expert at utilizing propaganda in his campaigns to deliver his message. The Nazis would use words that resonated with people’s emotions; they targeted specific populations by using images and words that seemed harmless, or even positive. Through propaganda campaigns, Hitler and the Nazis turned one of the most radical, violent movements in history into one of the largest political parties in Democratic Germany.
The Radio as an Integral Tool
In Europe, the radio became a common household appliance under Hitler’s reign. He ordered the prices of radios be reduced severely, so that nearly every home could afford one. Of course, for this the people loved him. What they did not know is that his intention was to use the radio to disseminate his message. There were no radio stations that were not “nationalist” (pro-Hitler). The only art, print, film, and even toys that were permitted to sell in shops were nationalist.
A Damn Good Marketer
I’m in the marketing and PR world. As you may have guessed, I also like to share my ideas with others. The extremely organized, thorough and effective marketing campaign led by Adolf Hitler is simply fascinating. I mean, let’s be honest. Marketing and advertising employs similar ideas to that of propaganda: we play on people’s emotions, target particular audiences, sometimes attack opponents or simplify more complex ideas. The masses want to be told what to like and do. It is human nature to generalize and stereotype, and the general public wants advertisers to wrap up the often more-complex ideas into a neat package tied up with a bow. And Adolf Hitler chose select images and words to feed to the people. Brilliant.
Does any of this sound familiar?
Where in our country do we generalize, simplify complex issues, and omit selective information, or attack our opponents? It is difficult for me to watch political news programs anymore because so much of what they deliver is propaganda. The Republican Party has been so successful in the past because they are organized, and they are very good at tying up complex issues “with a bow”. Democrats, on the other hand, want every citizen to understand the complexity of the issues at hand; but as we know, the “average American” wants concise, easily digestible information.
Have no fear. I am not going any further with the political conversation. Just please remember next time you hear words like “ridiculous” and “funny” to describe American policy, these are adjectives and are completely subjective.
