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Reconstruction political cartoon. Wood engraving by Thomas Nast, circa 1874.

German propaganda art depicting Adolf Hitler in Medieval armor. This portrait, The Standard Bearer, was painted by artist Hubert Lanzinger and displayed in the Great German Art Exhibition in Munich in 1937. See full-sized image for analysis.

English language arts teacher Jackie Rubino is preparing to teach the memoir Night, by Elie Wiesel. In order to build students’ historical understanding, Ms. Rubino leads her class in a lesson on the power of Nazi propaganda. Images from children’s books, Nazi recruitment posters, posters from the Hitler Youth, and other resources are shared via a gallery walk, after which students consider five discussion questions in small groups.

Have students analyze these examples of Nazi propaganda using the Crop It teaching strategy.

Have students analyze these examples of Nazi propaganda using the Crop It teaching strategy. This gallery is in Spanish.

From the 1915 propaganda film The Battle of the Somme showing a soldier rescuing a comrade under fire. Although the documentary included staged scenes, this frame was taken from a real combat scene.

Consider the connection between science and human values, and reflect on how the Nazis used their beliefs to justify making mass murder as efficient as possible.  

German election propaganda poster for the Prussian Landtag elections targeting the working class

This propaganda poster from 1933 reads, “Hitler’s fight and Luther’s teaching are the best defense for the German people.”

German propaganda art depicting Adolf Hitler in Medieval armor

This mid-1930s poster says, “The NSDAP [Nazi Party] protects the people. Your fellow comrades need your advice and help, so join the local party organization.

This mid-1930s poster says, “The NSDAP [Nazi Party] protects the people. Your fellow comrades need your advice and help, so join the local party organization". This resource is in Spanish.