
The article contributes to the discussion about the reasons why National Socialism was accepted in Germany. The author analyses German society’s knowledge of the surrounding world. The society had only access to information created by the ministry of propaganda on pain of capital punishment. Foreign newspapers were unavailable and even the highest state officials, military officials and decision-makers in the terror apparatus were not permitted to listen to foreign radio stations. These regulations were so effective that German society was convinced until the end of the war that their state waged a defensive war. The news about crimes against Jews and occupied nations were treated as exaggerated and sensational rumors. The author discusses manipulation strategies used by the Third Reich to mislead German society during the war. He also concludes that the communication aspect should play a key role in discussions about the responsibility of German society for the crimes committed by the Third Reich.
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