Propaganda and censorship

In March 1933, Joseph Goebbels became head of the new Ministry of Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda. His aim was to make Germans believe in Nazi ideas and in Hitler.

The press: newspapers were told what to print, and those that opposed the Nazis were closed down. Editors who did not follow orders lost their jobs.

Radio: the government made cheap radios, the People's Receiver, so that most homes could afford one. Hitler's speeches were broadcast, and loudspeakers in public places and workplaces meant people heard them even outside their homes.

Rallies: every year, the Nazis held a huge rally at Nuremberg. Hundreds of thousands of uniformed people marched in perfect order, with flags, searchlights and speeches by Hitler. The rallies were designed to show the strength and unity of Nazi Germany, and were filmed to be shown across the country.

The 1936 Berlin Olympics: the Nazis used the Games to show the world a modern, efficient and successful Germany. Germany won the most medals. Some anti-Jewish signs were taken down while visitors were there. But the Black American athlete Jesse Owens won four gold medals, which went against Nazi claims about race.

On 10 May 1933, students and Nazis held book burnings in Berlin and other cities. They burned books by Jewish authors, communists and other writers the Nazis disapproved of.

Censorship meant that only ideas approved by the Nazis could be published, broadcast or performed.

Significance: Germans were cut off from ideas that challenged Nazism, while propaganda filled the space.

In 1933, Goebbels set up the Reich Chamber of Culture. Artists, writers, musicians, actors and film-makers had to be members to work, and anyone the Nazis disapproved of was expelled.

• Art: modern art was condemned as 'degenerate'. Approved art showed heroic workers, soldiers and traditional family life.
• Architecture: huge, grand buildings were designed to show Nazi power.
• Literature: books had to support Nazi ideas.
• Film: films were checked before release. Most were entertainment, but newsreels and some films spread Nazi ideas. One famous film recorded the 1934 Nuremberg rally to glorify Hitler.