Nazi Parades and Public Spectacles Elliot, Hamish and Connor Introduction • The Nazi Party actively used Parades and Marches during the 1920’s and earl 1930’s • This was to raise the profile of the party • Intimidate voters and opposition • Create the impression of a large, well supported and disciplined organisation • Theatricality of these marches (wearing uniforms, medals, banners and choreographed singing) captured many people’s attentions Book Burnings • Berlin- May 1933 • Carried out by the National Socialist German Student Body • Ceremony to burn books by pacifist, socialist, Jewish and other authors whose ideologies were seen to be subversive to Nazi ideology • Heinrich Heine, German Jewish Poet: “Where they burn books, one day they will burn human beings…” • http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/nazi-book-burningsremembered/7196.html Nuremburg Rallies • Annual rally of the NSDAP in Germany held from 1923-1928 • Used as a large Propaganda event especially after Hitler's rise to power • They gathered to listen to his speeches WHY ALWAYS • These rallies consisted of flags, ME? stirring music accompanied the marching columns and salutes • Films were made of these rallies and were shown in cinemas so even non- participants could be over-awed by the experience • www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilXVkgmJk2E Key Celebrations in Nazi calender • • • • • • • • • • • • 30 January- Day of seizing of power 24 Feb- Anniversary of founding of party March (1st Sunday)- Commemoration of heroes 20 April- Hitler’s BIRTHDAY WOOP!! (house party at Hamish, he won’t hear the music) 1 May- National Labour day May (2nd Sunday)- Mother’s day 21 June- Summer solstice July (2nd Sunday)- Day of German culture September- Nuremberg rally October- Harvest 9 November- Remembrance of Munich Putsch 21 December- Yuletide Meetings, Rallies and festivals • Attracted Nazi supporters and bystanders that might be juan over • Goebbels said that rallies transformed a person from a little worm into part of a large dragon • On festival days streets would be festooned with swastika flags • Failure to support this might be reported to the Gestapo Sport • Government coordinated various sporting bodies under a Reichssportfuhrer • Hitler Youth/DAF organised mass sporting activities e.g. gymnastics • These were used to improve the fitness of soldiers and improve health for child bearers • Government made great efforts to ensure the Berlin 1936 Olympics were a propaganda success • On new stadium there was a memorial to all dead soldiers, thus linking sport and militarism • Hitler: “He who wishes to live must also fight and he who will not strive in this world of struggle does not deserve the gift of life” THANK YOU