What was the role of Joseph Goebbels in Nazi Germany?

Answer 1

Josef Goebbels (1897-1945) was one of the main political leaders in Nazi-Germany, during World War 2. He was Minister of Propaganda, and was very skilled at manipulating information in a way that helped the regime. Goebbels had been a journalist and a (failed) writer before becoming Minister. He used many modern techniques, especially the radio and cinema, but also newspapers, posters, paintings etc., to broadcast his propaganda messages. Goebbels was absolutely fanatic; he ordered operations like the public mass-burning of books (called "auto da-fe"), after issuing lists of books that the German people was forbidden to buy or read. Every media was strictly controlled, everything was done to prevent the people from reading, watching, listening to any free information. Theatre, art, movies, books... : everything was supposed to make the German people believe that Hitler was their great leader, that the country was going to take over Europe to make it a better place, that the Jews were a nuisance, etc. This propaganda was intented to control what people thought and believed. However, Goebbels was high-educated, and in a way he tried to save a part of the very rich German cultural heritage, partly because it contributed to the prestige of the country. As the Propaganda minister, he made huge campaigns with specific aims, like in 1939, in order to give Germany a reason to invade Poland, he imagined a complex scenario with false radio messages pretending that German minorities in Poland were being abused, thus giving Germany an excuse to invade the country. He was one of Hitler's closest advisors and he strongly believed that Hitler was right. Therefore, even at the very end of the war, when it had become clear that Germany was losing the war and that Hitler was becoming almost crazy, Goebbels remained with Hitler in a bunker, under the Chancellery in Berlin, unlike some high officers and close advisors, who tried to escape Berlin before the Allies enter the city. Goebbels committed suicide with his wife (after killing their 6 children), in the bunker, one day after Hitler's suicide. He had thus been the Reich Chancellor for one day, since Hitler had appointed him to be his successor at the head of the falling German Empire.

Answer 2

Joseph Goebbels had both direct and indirect involvement in the Holocaust. The American Experience website at pbs.org explains that, "He played probably the most important role in creating an atmosphere in Germany that made it possible for the Nazis to commit terrible atrocities against Jews, homosexuals, and other minorities" and in some instances he "authorized the violence himself." He was responsible for issuing instructions for the program referred to as "Kristallnacht" which led to the deaths of "91 Jews, the incarceration in concentration camps of 30,000 others and the destruction of about 7,000 Jewish businesses and more than 900 synagogues."

Additionally, Goebbels played a significant role in the Nazi party. According to Current Biography, Goebbels was considered the "intellect of the Nazi party." Beginning in 1924, Goebbels had several political roles within the Nazi party, but was eventually promoted to "Minister of Propaganda and Public Enlightenment." This position gave him control of "radio, theatre, cinema" and eventually journalism, which allowed him to "brainwash" his countrymen, often by circulating false stories of Jewish cruelties. He was a skillful speaker and this helped him boost war morale and further the beliefs of the Nazi party. The Chambers Biographical Dictionary states that while Hitler was running the war, Goebbels was "virtually running the country."

Your local public library will be able to provide you with additional resources on Joseph Goebbels.

Citations:

"Joseph Goebbels (1897-1945) ." The American Experience, n.d.

"Goebbels, Joseph." Current Biography (Bio Ref Bank) (December 1, 1991): Biography Reference Bank (H.W. Wilson), EBSCOhost (accessed October 9, 2014).

"Goebbels." Chambers Biographical Dictionary (Bio Ref Bank) (January 1, 1997): Biography Reference Bank (H.W. Wilson), EBSCOhost (accessed October 9, 2014).

Answer 3

He was the Reich Minister for Popular Enlightenment and Propoganda and he succeeded Hitler as the Chancellor of Germany.