In times of political need, art is often co-opted as a mechanism of influence. Posters are commonly used to persuade public opinion. The Nazi regime in Germany during World War II is perhaps the most well-known for using art as a form of propaganda. This form of art was, and continues to be, an effective tool because certain images are comforting to people. This helps them to identify with the leader at hand. In this case, the German government believed people had to be conditioned to the point of complete and total acceptance of their leader, even to the point of brainwashing.
In “Youth Serves the Leader”, a young boy looking toward a larger image of Adolf Hitler’s face is pictured. All boys 10 and older are to serve unquestioningly to their demagogue. This vision is black and white in the background, but colorized to define the young child as most important in the imagery.
In “Children, What Do You Know of the Fuhrer?”, Hitler is portrayed as a father-figure who is preparing to lift his lovely young daughter into the to show his appreciation and joy for her life. Nazi flags and armbands are emblazoned throughout, and two young, smiling boys are shown below the “Fuhrer” and child, as possible followers, or even soldiers of the Hitler Youth.
The reason why this art was so important to the Nazi movement was because it helped to convince people that Hitler was a safe person, a man who tells it like it is and, most of all, a man you can trust. There are lessons to be learned from this time in history, and recognizing the manipulation of art to create a false impression is simply one more way to notice the influence of propaganda.
Works Cited
Kohl, Diane. The Presentation of "Self" and "Other" in Nazi Propaganda. n.d. 13 April 2016. <http://www.psychologyandsociety.org/__assets/__original/2011/04/2Kohl_2011_.pdf>.
MiE. 10 Pieces of Nazi Education Propaganda. 18 December 2012. 13 April 2016. <http://www.master-of-education.org/10-disturbing-pieces-of-nazi-education-propaganda/>.
