The Six Press Barons Who Enabled Hitler: A Saga of Manipulation and Misinformation

During the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, the German media landscape was dominated by a handful of powerful press barons. These individuals played a significant role in shaping public opinion and enabling Hitler's ascent to power. Through their newspapers and media outlets, they spread Nazi propaganda, suppressed dissenting views, and created a climate of fear and intimidation.

The Newspaper Axis: Six Press Barons Who Enabled Hitler

by Kathryn S. Olmsted

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Language	:	English
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In this article, we will explore the six most influential press barons who enabled Hitler and examine their role in the Nazi propaganda machine. Their stories are a testament to the power of media manipulation and the dangers of unchecked press freedom.

1. Alfred Hugenberg: The Media Mogul

Alfred Hugenberg was a conservative German industrialist, politician, and media magnate. He was one of the largest shareholders in the German news agency Telegraphen-Union (TU) and the owner of the Ullstein Verlag, one of Germany's largest publishing houses.

Hugenberg was an early supporter of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. He saw in Hitler a potential ally against the left-wing and socialist movements that he despised. Through his newspapers and media outlets, Hugenberg promoted Nazi ideology, attacked Hitler's opponents, and helped to create a climate of fear and intimidation.

In 1933, Hugenberg was appointed Minister of Economics in Hitler's cabinet. However, his influence within the Nazi Party was limited, and he was eventually forced to resign. After the Nazis seized power, Hugenberg's media empire was confiscated and he was arrested. He died in prison in 1951.

2. Emil Kirdorf: The Industrialist

Emil Kirdorf was a German industrialist and politician. He was the chairman of the German Steel Industrialists' Association and the president of the Association of German Employers.

Kirdorf was a strong supporter of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. He saw in Hitler a leader who would restore Germany to greatness and protect the interests of German industry. Through his contacts in the business community, Kirdorf provided Hitler with funding and support.

In 1933, Kirdorf was appointed Minister of Economics in Hitler's cabinet. However, he was soon sidelined by Alfred Hugenberg and other Nazi leaders. After the Nazis seized power, Kirdorf's industrial empire was confiscated and he was forced to resign. He died in obscurity in 1952.

3. Franz von Papen: The Diplomat

Franz von Papen was a German diplomat and politician. He served as Reich Chancellor of Germany from 1932 to 1933 and was a key figure in Hitler's rise to power.

Papen was a conservative Catholic who was initially opposed to Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. However, in 1932, he agreed to form a coalition government with Hitler after being promised the post of Chancellor.

As Chancellor, Papen suspended civil liberties, cracked down on left-wing and socialist movements, and allowed Hitler to consolidate his power. In 1933, he resigned as Chancellor and was appointed Vice-Chancellor. However, his influence within the Nazi Party was limited, and he was eventually forced to resign.

After the Nazis seized power, Papen was appointed ambassador to Austria. He played a key role in the Anschluss, the annexation of Austria by Germany. After World War II, Papen was tried and sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in the Nazi regime. He died in 1969.

4. Kurt von Schleicher: The General

Kurt von Schleicher was a German general and politician. He served as Reich Chancellor of Germany from 1932 to 1933 and was a key figure in Hitler's rise to power.

Schleicher was a conservative who initially opposed Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. However, in 1932, he agreed to form a coalition government with Hitler after being promised the post of Chancellor.

As Chancellor, Schleicher attempted to balance the interests of the military, the business community, and the Nazi Party. However, he was unable to control Hitler and his supporters. In 1933, he was forced to resign as Chancellor and was assassinated by Nazi paramilitaries on the night of the Reichstag fire.

5. Otto Strasser: The Brother

Otto Strasser was a German politician and the younger brother of Gregor Strasser, one of the early leaders of the Nazi Party.

Otto Strasser was initially a supporter of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. However, he became disillusioned with Hitler's policies and left the party in 1930. He founded the Black Front, a rival Nazi party, and became a vocal critic of Hitler.

In 1933, Strasser was arrested by the Nazis and sentenced to death. However, he was later released and fled into exile. He returned to Germany after World War II and continued to be active in politics. He died in 1974.

6. Hermann Rauschning: The Insider

Hermann Rauschning was a German politician and journalist. He served as the head of the Press and Propaganda Department of the Nazi Party in Danzig from 1933 to 1934.

Rauschning was initially a supporter of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. However, he became disillusioned with the regime's brutality and corruption. In 1934, he resigned from his post and fled into exile.

In exile, Rauschning wrote a number of books about his experiences in the Nazi Party. These books provided valuable insights into the inner workings of the Nazi regime and helped to expose the truth about Hitler's plans. Rauschning died in 1982.

The six press barons discussed in this article played a significant role in enabling Hitler's rise to power. Through their newspapers and media outlets, they spread Nazi propaganda, suppressed dissenting views, and created a climate of fear and intimidation. Their actions helped to pave the way for the Nazi dictatorship and the horrors that followed.

The story of these press barons is a reminder of the power of media manipulation and the dangers of unchecked press freedom. It is a story that should be remembered and studied by all those who value democracy and freedom of speech.

The Newspaper Axis: Six Press Barons Who Enabled Hitler

by Kathryn S. Olmsted

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3303 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	401 pages

FREE