An Introduction to the Rallies

This is yet another DBQ topic for the 2025 LC History students and did not feature on the 2024 exam, so there is a good chance it will appear next June. Crucial to be able to answer any 40-mark DBQ question, or indeed any 100-mark essay on the use of Nazi Propaganda via the rallies is a series of key context notes explaining what the Nuremberg Rallies were and why they were important. Below is more than enough context to provide just that.

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What were the Nuremberg Rallies?

• The Nuremberg Rallies were week-long events attended by at least 500,000 people, including Nazi Party officials, the SS, the SA, and party supporters. The 1933 rally was named the 'Rally of Victory' to celebrate Hitler's rise to power, drawing nearly 500,000 participants. Wagner, Hitler's favourite composer, provided the music. SA bands performed while the SS in black uniforms and the SA in brown displayed military strength—the rallies aimed to showcase Nazi power and intimidate any perceived threats to the Third Reich. Leni Riefenstahl directed a film of the rally, "Victory of Faith," intended for those unable to attend. However, this film was later banned because it featured Ernst Röhm, who was murdered in the Night of the Long Knives.
• Nazi flags were prominently displayed throughout the city, with the Blood Flag (Blutfahne) being the most sacred symbol. This flag had been used during the failed Munich Putsch and was allegedly stained with the blood of several Nazis killed during the revolt. In a ritualistic ceremony, Nazis consecrated new military standards by touching them with the Blood Flag.
• Hitler's speeches were major highlights, meticulously crafted to project power and win audience support. He would often arrive late to build anticipation, greeted by crowds delivering the Nazi salute. From 1933, Albert Speer, Hitler's architect, transformed the rallies into grand theatrical events. In 1934, Speer created a 'cathedral of light' using over 150 searchlights. He also oversaw the development of the Zeppelin Field and Luitpold arenas, adorned with massive Nazi banners and large sculptures of eagles holding swastikas.
• The rallies included nighttime torchlight processions by the SA and SS through the open stadiums and city. The 1934 rally, called the 'Rally of Strength and Unity,' was again filmed by Leni Riefenstahl. This footage was used to create one of her most famous films, "Triumph of the Will," documenting the rally attended by up to 700,000 Nazi supporters. The film featured key speeches praising Hitler, promoting him as the leader who would restore Germany's greatness.

Overview of Why They Mattered

• The Nuremberg Rallies, also known as the Reichsparteitag, were large propaganda events held annually by the Nazi Party from 1923 to 1938, with the exception of 1924 and 1929.
• These rallies were held in the city of Nuremberg, chosen for its central location and historical significance. The rallies were massive spectacles designed to display the power and unity of the Nazi Party.
• They involved elaborate parades, military demonstrations, and speeches by Adolf Hitler and other top Nazi officials.
• The events were meticulously planned and executed, often spanning several days and attracting hundreds of thousands of participants, including party members, military personnel, and ordinary citizens.

Key Features

Elaborate Staging

• The rallies featured grandiose architecture, such as the Zeppelin Field, and impressive displays of flags, banners, and Nazi symbols.
• The use of lighting, choreography, and sound amplified the dramatic effect.

Speeches and Declarations

• Hitler's speeches were central to the rallies, where he articulated Nazi ideology, motivated the party faithful, and announced major policy directions. Other Nazi leaders, like Joseph Goebbels and Heinrich Himmler, also delivered speeches.

Military Parades

• The rallies showcased the might of the German military through parades, military exercises, and displays of the latest weapons and technology. This emphasised the militarisation of German society and the regime's readiness for war.

Cultural and Youth Events

• The rallies included performances by the Hitler Youth, the League of German Girls, and various cultural groups, highlighting the regime's emphasis on youth indoctrination and cultural control.

Importance of the Rallies for Hitler and his Regime

• Propaganda Tool: The Nuremberg Rallies were a crucial propaganda tool designed to inspire loyalty and devotion to Hitler and the Nazi Party. They created a sense of unity and strength, reinforcing the regime's totalitarian control.
• Demonstration of Power: The rallies demonstrated the organisational and military power of the Nazi state. They were intended to impress both domestic and international audiences, showcasing the regime's efficiency and discipline.
• Ideological Reinforcement: The rallies reinforced Nazi ideology, including ideas of Aryan superiority, anti-Semitism, and nationalism. The rallies propagated the regime's political and racial doctrines through speeches and ceremonies.
• Mobilisation and Motivation: The rallies served to mobilise the German population, encouraging participation in Nazi activities and fostering a sense of belonging and purpose within the party.
• Visual Record: The Nuremberg Rallies were extensively filmed and photographed, creating enduring visual records that further disseminated Nazi propaganda. Leni Riefenstahl's film "Triumph of the Will" (1935) is a famous example of how these images were used to promote the regime.
• Historical Significance: The Nuremberg Rallies symbolise the Nazi regime's use of spectacle and propaganda to manipulate and control the German populace. They remain a powerful example of how totalitarian states can use mass gatherings to achieve political ends.