The
Nuremberg Rallies
Intro: Mass
Rallies were an integral part of Nazi organization and propaganda. The most
important was the annual party rally in Nuremberg each August or September.
Early Rallies were held in Munich (1923) and Weimar (1926). The 1927 rally was
held in Nuremberg and after the Nazis took power in 1933 Hitler made Nuremberg
the permanent location of the party rallies. He choice the medieval city of
Nuremberg because of its links with German History – it was regarded as the
unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire and some imperial Diets were held
there. Hitler said it was “the most German of German cities”. There were also
practical reasons, it was centrally located with significant accommodation and
it had seven railway lines converging there. Nuremberg was also a strong Nazi
base – Julius Streicher, who controlled the local organization, he made
Nuremberg the “holy city” of the Nazi movement. The rallies served the purpose
of making party members feel valued, enticing new followers to the cause due to
the special and organization of the event, to glorify
Hitler and promote
his cult of personality,
celebrate Nazi achievements, and launching new party policies and campaigns.
P1:
expansion and architecture
Following
the Nazis coming to power in 1933 Hitler declared Nuremberg the “city of the
Nazi Party rallies” and all the resources of the state were used to expand the
annual Nazi celebration. At the 1933 Rally, Albert Speer, a young architect,
became involved in the organization of the rally. He constructed a huge wooden
framed eagle behind the podium. In 1934 Hitler asked him to draw up an overall
plan for the Nazi grounds, which were 11 km in extent. The area had large open
spaces such as the Zeppelin Field (could accommodate 100,000 spectators), the
Luitpold Arena (could accommodate 150,000 spectators) and the March Field. The
plans also included large buildings such as the congress hall (based on ancient
roman architecture). These were linked by the Great Road, 2 km long and 60
metres wide. Construction on the site wasn’t finished before war
broke out in 1939. Hitler and Speer wanted to create buildings that would last
1000 years. They wanted to match the great buildings of past civilizations such
as those of Ancient Greece and Rome. Hitler believed in Speer’s theory of ‘ruin
value’ = that ancient ruins provide proof of the greatness of previous
civilizations. Speer = “Our architectural works should also speak to the
conscience of a future Germany centuries from now”.
P2: themes
of the rallies
Each
Rally had a different theme, usually celebrating Nazi achievements or launching
Nazi policies. 1933 Rally of Victory. Lenifenstahl filmed Victory of Faith at
the rally. Ernest Rohm featured in it so most copies destroyed.
1934
the Nazis emphasised the oneness of Germany in the Rally of Unity and Strength.
Triumph of the Will was filmed.
1935
Rally of Freedom celebrated breaking the Treaty of Versailles with the
introduction of conscription
1936
celebrated the remilitarisation of the Rhineland in the Rally of Honour
1937
Rally of Labour celebrated reduction in unemployment
1938
Rally of Greater Germany celebrated Anschluss. Hitler insisted on the return of
the Imperial Regalia of the old Holy Roman Empire from Vienna to Nuremberg.
Hitler also used the occasion to put pressure on Czechoslovakia, Britain and
France over the Sudetenland.
1939 Rally of Peace cancelled.
Rally used to push Nazi agenda, criticise the Weimar
republic or blame Jews and Bolsheviks for Germany’s problems. Campaigns: At the 1935
Rally the Nuremberg laws against the Jews were passed at a special meeting of
the Reichstag that was held there. 1936
launched the 4 year plan for economic self-sufficiency and an anti-Bolshevik
crusade.
P 3: Propaganda
The rally’s were a propaganda event designed to win
over the crowds with their grandeur and spectacle. As well as the size of the
of the venues, some rallys had over 500,000 attendees, there were spectacles
such as the cathedral of light with 130 giant searchlights pointed to the sky
around the Zeppelin Field at night or the consecration of the flags ceremony in
which Hitler used the Blood flag (the flag sanctified by the blood of those who
lost thir lives in the Munich Punsch in 1923) or banner as a symbol of
sacrifice and loyalty to the party and touched the new flags with it. 3 biggest
flags of all time. Each part of the Nazi
organisation presented themselves before Hitler over the 6 or 7 days of the
rally - Hitler Youth, the German Women’s League, the Reich Labour Front, the SA
and the SS and the Wehrmacht (armed forces). The Rallies served to promote Hitler’s cult of
personality. At the beginning of Triumph
of the Will Hitler descends in a plane from the clouds like a modern day
saviour of his people. Hitler features prominently in the film and at its
conclusion he is praised by Hess who says: “the party is Hitler! Hitler is
Germany - just as Germany is Hitler! Sieg Heil!
Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil!” To resounding cheers. On each day Hitler’s speech
was the highlight of the occasion. “Every word dropped by Hitler seemed like an
inspired word from on high. Man’s = or at least the German’s - critical faculty
is swept away at such moments, and every lie pronounced is accepted as high
truth itself” American journalist William Shirer.
P4: Riefenstahl and triumph of the will
In 1934 Hitler commissioned Leni Riefenstahl to film
the Nuremberg Rally. Preparations for the rally were linked with preparations
for the filming. Nuremberg became a giant stage with flags, banners, marches
and torches. Riefenstahl used 30 cameramen and over 100 technicians. She also
used planes, cranes, roller skates and tracking rails to shoot the documentary.
In all 61 hours of footage was reduced to a 2 hour documentary called “Triumph
of the Will”. At the premiere she was greeted coolly by party officials but
even Goebbels, her greatest critic, realised it was an outstanding achievement
and, in its way, far more effective propaganda for the Fuhrer and National
Socialism than any other film yet made” (J Toland). Often regarded as a masterpiece
of film propaganda, it was banned for over 50 years. Won awards. Brought the
rallies to those who couldn’t attend.
conclusion
Recap the NB purposes and effects of the rallies.
Nuremberg had become a key symbol of the Nazis. This,
along with its role as a centre of war production, led to massive Allied
bombing which flattened much of the city. After the war the US army held a
victory parade there and blew up the swastika which was behind the reviewing
stand. The trials of the Nazi war criminals were deliberately held in the city.
