https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oIf341owrA&t=408s
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.
