Chapter 10 of Berlin At War talks about the evolution of the Nazi Party into “The People’s Friend.” One of the most astounding elements of this section is the implementation and leverage of technology. In 1920, the inaugural broadcast from a makeshift station was sent across the German airwaves. Ironically enough, “the German public was forbidden to tune in.”
What is unique is seeing the development of this technology (on both sides of the fence) as the war continues. Radio was used as a major propaganda tool in order to rally support for the war effort. Hitler was a master of harnessing mass media (especially radio) to rally support. The radio was a relatively new technology and when prices on radio sets began to plummet, nearly 600,000 units were sold to the masses. What this provided the Nazi party with is direct access to people’s homes and businesses with a simple flip of a switch.
It’s important to note that this technological revolution wasn’t just in Germany, but rather the world over. U.S. President FDR implemented “fireside chats” to speak to the nation regarding the status of American involvement in the war. King George V used radio to speak to the British people and deliver addresses regarding the war in Europe. The radio was one of the most important technological advancements of the 20th century. Like the internet today, the radio made information easier to access for all people, even if it was just propaganda.