Title: National Socialist Foreign Policy and Press Instructions, 1933–9: Aims and Ways of Coverage Manipulation based on the Example of East Asia
Abstract: The question of this article concerns the connection between German foreign policy and the National Socialist's press instructions, from 1933 to 1939. In particular the National Socialists' methods and aims of controlling German newspaper coverage of other countries will be analysed, focusing mainly on the example of East Asia, due to Germany's dynamic relationship with Japan and China before the Second World War. The secret press instructions of the Propaganda Ministry show that the National Socialists tried from the beginning to influence not only the German people, but also foreign governments via press politics. Through orders of omission, overemphasis, and one-sided reporting they attempted, not always successfully, to facilitate a rapprochement with Japan while preferably not losing China. Moreover, by attempting the construction of a positive image of the Japanese nation, they aimed to convince the German people of a successful progression of foreign policy by allying with Japan, despite political problems with both Japan and China. Finally, the National Socialists also tried to detain other Great Powers, especially in 1939, from actions against Germany by at least creating the impression of a strong German international position, due to alignment with Japan.
Publication Year: 2012
Publication Date: 2012-06-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 1
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