How Did Hitler Use Propaganda In Animal Farm

For decades, people have debated how the Germans could blindly follow Hitler. Much like what occurred during World War II, the animals in Animal Farm were devoted to Napoleon no matter what crimes he committed. Niccolò Machiavelli, the 16th century political theorist explained, “Perhaps it is best to be both loved and feared.” Hitler and Napoleon both strove to be loved and feared as dictators. Through propaganda and manipulation, Hitler and Napoleon secured the endorsement of their citizens. Adolf Hitler describes, “By the skillful and sustained use of propaganda, one can make a people see even heaven as hell or an extremely wretched life as paradise.” Some of Hitler’s propaganda displayed him smiling and playing with children. This way,

If the consequences of speaking out are too great, no one will ever protest. During World War II, any person that Hitler deemed an enemy was sent to the concentration camps. Martin Niemöller, a Protestant pastor, is commonly remembered for the quote, “In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. […] Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up.” Many people, like Niemöller, did not speak up against Hitler. They knew that they would be sent to their death along with anyone they tried to save. In the novel Animal Farm, Napoleon uses terror to control the animals. When he decides to sell the hen’s eggs, they resist. Orwell states, “For the first time since the expulsion of Jones, there was something resembling a rebellion” (86). When the hens try to stand up for themselves, Napoleon cuts off their rations. Any animal who gave food to a hen would be executed. Nine hens die before they they finally give in. This fear tactic terrified all of the animals. Later in chapter seven, Napoleon’s dogs kill animals who confessed to allying themselves with Snowball. The executions are described, “Immediately the dogs bounded forward, seized four of the pigs by the ear and dragged them, squealing with pain and terror, to Napoleon’s feet”

Some people, including Hitler himself, insist that his goal was never to have a war. Near the end of his life, Hitler wrote a Political Testament for the German people. In the document, he explains, “It is untrue that I, or anyone else in Germany, wanted the war in 1939. It was desired and instigated solely by those international statesmen who were either of Jewish descent or worked for Jewish interests.” Hitler’s extreme hate for the Jewish people can be traced back to his autobiography, “Mein Kampf.” He blamed the Jews for everything he thought was wrong in the world — Socialism, Modernism, Capitalism, and even his personal disappointment. However, it is clear that the Jewish people did not start World War II. The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919. The document blamed Germany for all of World War I and forced the country to pay war reparations, limit the size of its military, and give up all of its colonial territory among other requirements. The Germans resented Great Britain, the United States, and Russia (later the Soviet Union) because of the harsh punishments contained in the treaty. In 1936, Hitler sent troops to the demilitarized Rhineland, flouting the Treaty of Versailles. The Western democracies adopted a policy of appeasement because they were afraid Hitler would seize more land. Hitler wanted to take over the Sudetenland, which would also go against the provisions in the Treaty of Versailles. At