Final answer:
The Nazis used propaganda to manipulate public opinion, control societal norms, and justify their ideologies. By dominating the media and language, they shaped how people viewed reality and maintained their power through a mix of incentives and intimidation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Importance of Information Control by Nazis
The Nazis understood the power of propaganda and the control of information to manipulate and unify public opinion.
By controlling the media, they were able to promote their ideological goals, increase German pride, and justify their actions, particularly against Jewish people.
Joseph Goebbels, as the head of Nazi propaganda, was essential in shaping public thought, often using media to spread dehumanizing messages about Jews and other targeted groups.
The regime also targeted different social groups with customized propaganda campaigns to fuse their loyalty to the regime and to Hitler, often using both 'carrots' and 'sticks' — incentives and threats to suppress dissent.
Moreover, by controlling language and media, the Nazis could dictate how people viewed reality, influencing them to accept the authority of the state and believe in the righteousness of its actions, which also extended to their militaristic endeavors.
This strategy was akin to how advertisers and politicians leverage language to influence the public.
The Nazis also arrested or executed those who defied them, bolstering fear and compliance within the population.