Propaganda & Orwell

The use of propaganda in Orwell's novel 1984 closely replicates the use of propaganda used by Adolph Hitler in Nazi Germany during his reign. Hitler's use of propaganda was extremely effective. Propaganda was a powerful tool; Hitler used it to instruct the German people with his Nazi ideology. Propaganda was everywhere; in the newspapers, schools, speeches and basically the whole media. If they didn't follow the propaganda they were punished and were brainwashed to believe that Hitler and the Nazis were right.

This is exactly the same methods used in Orwell's fictional society. The quote, "And if all others accepted the lie which the party imposed-if all records told the same tale-then the lie passed into history and became the truth", book I chapter III, pg 34. The Proles and citizens of Oceania in 1984 were constantly under the influence of Big brother propaganda. There are billboards and media spread thru ought the towns supporting the ideology in support of the totalitarian state. The effect of this psychological manipulation is a breakdown of the independence of an individuals mind.

Orwell's novel seems to closely replicate the use of children as spies such as "Hitler Youth", used in Nazi Germany. This group gave children of Oceania and of Nazi Germany a whole hearted patriotism to guide them by monitoring their parent's behaviors to prevent any disloyalty to the party and to the 3rd Reich. Orwell also was inspired to use Hitler's Gestapo and SS as the "thought police" to prevent and then enforce strict obedience to the government. The use of propaganda has proven to be the most effective method of gaining control over a vast majority of the citizens and of the people that inherit that land.