PDF file: History - Advanced Higher - Germany - Education Scotland

Source J
In August 1939 Goebbels speaks on the value of the radio.
Broadcasting has certain quite definite tasks to perform, particularly in view of the
times in which we are living at this moment. What is needed is not heavy, serious
programmes which, after all, only a fraction of the people can grasp: we must provide
the broad masses and millions of our people, engaged as they are in a struggle for
existence, with as much relaxation and entertainment, edification and improvement,
as possible.
(from Inside Nazi Germany, D Peubert, Batsford, 1987)
Source K
The SPD underground (SOPADE) in the 1930s observes the terror in Germany.
Terror in its all-embracing form, in its totally inhuman brutality, remains concealed
not only from those abroad; even in Germany itself there are certain circles of the
population who have no inkling of what is occurring. It is not uncommon for a
‘citizen’ who has absolutely no enthusiasm for the system but has little interest in
politics, who crosses the road to avoid a swastika flag which he would be expected to
salute, to put the following question with an undertone of accusation: ‘Do you
personally know of anyone who is still in a concentration camp from then ?’ (By
‘then’ is meant the take-over in 1933.)
(from National Socialist Rule in Germany, Norbert Frei, Blackwall, 1993)
Source L
An underground Socialist (SOPADE) witnesses peasant hostility to the regime in
1934.
The peasants, to a man, are angry about the Hitler system. Market days in the towns
…almost assume the character of political meetings. Only a chairman is missing.
Everything is discussed and grumbled about … The gendarmes behave as though
they had not heard the market-goers. If known Nazis informers turn up, the most that
happens is that people move along a bit and talk more quietly, but the informers can
sense the mood of the peasants perfectly well. For a long while it has been impossible
to speak of the peasants fearing the Nazis. On the contrary, known Nazis avoid the
peasants, so as not to be called to account about when they finally intend to start
turning their promises into reality.
(from National Socialist Rule in Germany, Norbert Frei, Blackwall, 1993)
History: Germany: Versailles to the Outbreak of World War II - 1918-1939 (AH) 82