Nazi Germany's Censorship of Speech

The history of Nazi Germany is often shrouded in the shadows of its expansive and systematically enforced policies of control, including the censorship of speech. Despite some initial efforts to recognize and protect certain linguistic aspects, the regime quickly moved towards complete suppression of dissenting voices. This article explores the extent and methods of Nazi censorship and the broader context of press control under the Third Reich.

Initial Efforts and Acoustic Control

It is a common misconception that the Nazis strictly censored speech from the very beginning. In reality, there were brief instances where they pretended to be accommodating towards regional dialects. For instance, it has been noted that soldiers in the German Army and the SS spoke various dialects, as long as they could be understood. However, this leniency was short-lived as the war progressed. Radio-operators and commanders were selected based on a lack of accent, indicating a shift towards a more standardized and controlled form of communication.

Moreover, the Nazis went so far as to ban languages like Esperanto, further reinforcing their exclusionary policies and consolidating their dominance over linguistic diversity.

Consequences of Subversive Speech

The repercussions of mentioning anything 'subversive' were severe. A simple remark at the wrong time or place could result in serious trouble, ranging from fines to detention or worse. These strict regulations underscore the paramount importance of conforming to the official rhetoric and ideological framework of the Nazi state.

It is highly plausible that the Nazis made attempts to curtail speech between 1933 and 1945, though such efforts were not consistently or uniformly implemented. The regime was known for its sporadic and selective censorship, often targeting critics and anyone who dared to speak out against the regime.

Detailed Mechanisms of Censorship

The Nazis established a comprehensive program of press censorship and surveillance, ensuring that any potential criticism was effectively gagged. The control of the mass media was a cornerstone of their propaganda machine, and they did not shy away from using state power and brute force to achieve their goals. Free speech was a concept that did not exist in Nazi Germany.

One of the most notorious examples of this control was the Nazi book burning, an event that symbolized the regime's extremist approach to advocacy and the suppression of knowledge deemed hostile to their ideology. Before reaching power, the Nazis had already employed the Sturmabteilung (SA) to disrupt rallies of other parties, particularly of their most direct competitors, the communists. The use of similar tactics by the communists through their ANTIFA groups did not significantly alter the landscape of political control and suppression under Nazi rule.

The Nazis were not reticent in wielding brute force and state power to enforce their linguistic and ideological control. With the establishment of concentration camps, they further entrenched their control over free speech and thought.

From the initial recognition of dialects to the implementation of severe censorship and the use of state power to enforce conformity, the Nazi regime's treatment of speech is a sobering reminder of the power of authority and the consequences of unchecked ideological control.