information or ideas that are spread with the intention of influencing people's opinions; media that is designed to promote a particular political agenda

the act of banning ideas, books, or media from reaching the public, because they are seen as offensive, harmful, or politically dangerous, or because someone wants to keep certain information secret

a structured story or a particular way of explaining or understanding events

meaning empire, under the Nazis, it referred to the Third Reich, their name for Hitler’s regime, which they saw as the third great German empire after the Holy Roman Empire and the German Empire

Goebbels and propaganda in Nazi Germany

History

Germany before the First World War

Industrialisation, social reform and the growth of socialism

Germany’s naval ambitions before the First World War

The First World War and the German Revolution

The Weimar Republic

Early unrest and the Treaty of Versailles

The putsches of 1919-23

1923, the Ruhr and hyperinflation

Economic recovery under Stresemann

Stresemann's international achievements

Weimar culture 1924-29

The growth of unemployment and rise in support for the Communist Party

The growth in support for the Nazi Party

How Hitler became Chancellor of Germany

The Reichstag Fire and the Enabling Act

Hitler's creation of a dictatorship

The Nazi police state

The Nazi Party and religion

Opposition and resistance to Hitler and the Nazi Party

Women in Nazi Germany

Young people in Nazi Germany

Employment in Nazi Germany

Work and life in Nazi Germany

The Nazi economy and WW2

Nazi racial ideology and the treatment of minorities

The persecution of Jews

The Final Solution

In this unit pupils undergo a period study that provides an unfolding narrative which tells a story about a period that shaped the world we live in today. They look at the key events, developments, people and stories that defined the chosen period.

Period Studies

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of peer pressure or bullying

they believed the Nazis would eventually be overthrown

they feared being seen as different and wanted to follow the crowd

they had no access to any form of propaganda

Why did many people go along with Nazi ideas, even if they didn’t fully believe them?

creating a narrative with clear enemies and heroes

encouraging open public debate in Nazi newspapers

publishing long, complex arguments to explain Nazi beliefs

using repeated, simple slogans to make Nazi ideas feel normal

Which of the following were key tactics Joseph Goebbels used to shape public perception?

The Nazis turned the city of {{}} into the symbolic heart of their propaganda, using rallies there to create awe, unity, and a sense of imperial rebirth.

It invited criticism and debate over Nazi values.

It used visual techniques to elevate Hitler into a mythical figure.

It was written and directed by Joseph Goebbels.

What made "Triumph of the Will" an effective piece of Nazi propaganda?

What was the name of the cheap radio mass-produced by the Nazis to spread their message directly into German homes?

an empire or state, often associated with historical greatness

a secret police organisation led by Goebbels

What does the word 'Reich' refer to in the context of Nazi Germany?

a Protestant organisation supporting Nazi policies

the Catholic Church’s headquarters, led by the Pope

the German city where Hitler signed the Concordat

to gain international approval and neutralise Church opposition

to make Catholicism the state religion of Germany

What was the purpose of the 1933 Concordat between Nazi Germany and the Vatican?

because he wanted to turn churches into Nazi museums

because most Germans were not religious and needed new beliefs

because religion competed with his authority and could divide loyalty

Why did Hitler want to bring religion under Nazi control?

allowed them to operate freely alongside the Hitler Youth

banned or absorbed them into Nazi youth movements

What did the Nazis do to Catholic youth organisations?

forced churches to report directly to the Pope

Which of the following were actions taken by the Nazis to control the Protestant Church?

He believed the Nazis were too supportive of the Catholic Church.

He had always been against Hitler, even before 1933.

He realised Hitler wanted to control religion and regretted supporting him.

He wanted to take over leadership of the Reich Church.

Why did Martin Niemöller become a strong opponent of the Nazi regime?

Goebbels and propaganda in Nazi Germany

Lesson outcome

Content guidance