Propaganda: How the NSDAP persuaded everyone | The Abyss Ep. 5 | Full Documentary

This paragraph describes the early years of Nazi Germany, highlighting the regime's propaganda efforts and the public's support for Hitler. The Rice Harvest Festival in 1934 is depicted as a massive propaganda event, attracting nearly a million people to witness Hitler's presence. The Nazi's broad support is evident, with the public appearing enthusiastic and unified. The paragraph also discusses the Nazi's control over power by mid-1930s, with opposition silenced through imprisonment or concentration camps. An American sociologist's study into the motivations of NSDAP members reveals a deep-seated anti-Semitism that predated the Nazi party's influence.

The second paragraph explores the international perspective on the growing anti-Semitism in Nazi Germany. It discusses the impact of a Swedish film, 'The Connection', which exacerbates anti-Jewish sentiment, leading to violent incidents. The paragraph also touches on President Roosevelt's cautious approach to condemning German anti-Semitism due to domestic pressures and the divided stance within the United States. The reluctance of other countries to accept Jewish refugees is highlighted, showing a lack of international support for those fleeing Nazi persecution.

This paragraph focuses on a pivotal incident involving the German ship Bremen, which escalates into a diplomatic crisis between the U.S. and Germany. The removal of the swastika flag by protesters in New York leads to a series of events, including the release of the protesters by a Jewish judge, Louis Brodsky, and the subsequent outrage from the Nazi regime. The incident is used by the Nazis to further their anti-Semitic agenda and to gain domestic support, culminating in the Nuremberg Laws that stripped Jews of their citizenship and banned intermarriage.

The fourth paragraph examines the uncomfortable influence of American racism on the Nazi's racial policies. It details how the Nuremberg Laws were inspired by anti-miscegenation laws in the United States, which banned interracial marriage. The Nazis used this comparison to justify their racial purity laws and to gain international support. The paragraph also discusses the forced sterilization of those deemed to have 'hereditary defects', part of the Nazi's racial hygiene program.

This paragraph delves into the Nazification of German society, with every social group integrated into national organizations under the NSDAP. It discusses the regime's use of secret reports to gauge public opinion and the growing acceptance of the regime by the German people. The systematic ostracization of Jews is highlighted, with their exclusion from community life and the increasing violence they face. The paragraph also touches on the international response, with demonstrations in New York calling for action against the Nazi regime.

The fifth paragraph discusses the 1936 Berlin Olympics as a propaganda tool for the Nazi regime, showcasing Germany's strength and unity. The games also served to temporarily lessen international pressure on Germany regarding its treatment of Jews. However, following the Olympics, anti-Semitic sentiment in Germany reached new heights, with the introduction of children's books and board games promoting hate. The paragraph also details the failed Evian Conference, which aimed to find homes for Jewish refugees but ended in disappointment, signaling to Hitler that the world was indifferent to the fate of Jews.

This paragraph describes the devastating November Pogrom of 1938, a coordinated attack on Jewish communities across Germany. It details the destruction of synagogues, businesses, and homes, as well as the violence and murder of Jewish individuals. The event marked a significant escalation in the persecution of Jews, leading to the arrest and deportation of thousands of Jewish men to concentration camps. The international response was largely one of indifference, allowing Hitler to continue his oppressive policies without significant backlash.

The seventh paragraph tells the personal stories of those affected by the Nazi regime, focusing on the experiences of Walter Hackenberg and Willie Cohen. Despite identifying as a Protestant, Hackenberg is targeted for his Jewish heritage and eventually interned in a concentration camp. Cohen and his family are deported and murdered. The paragraph illustrates the tragic consequences of Nazi policy, as well as the resilience and hope of individuals in the face of such adversity.

This paragraph recounts the tragic journey of the MS St. Louis, carrying over 900 Jewish refugees seeking asylum. The ship's voyage highlights the global refusal to accept Jewish refugees, as it is turned away by Cuba, the USA, and Canada. The passengers are forced to return to Europe, where many eventually fall victim to the Nazis. The story underscores the desperate situation of Jews seeking escape and the international community's failure to provide aid.

The final paragraph sets the stage for World War II, detailing the final days of peace and the immediate actions taken by the Nazi regime. Walter Hackenberg, despite his half-Jewish status, attempts to rejoin the military but is rejected and later arrested by the Gestapo. His survival of a concentration camp is contrasted with the tragic fate of the Cohen family, who are deported and killed. The paragraph concludes with a reflection on the early stages of the Holocaust, which began with marginalization and escalated to genocide.