Music is a political art form and has been for centuries. In the past, music has been controlled by the Church and by governments who wish to censor what the public hears. During World War II, music moved beyond just a means of entertainment and cultural control. Instead, it became a tool of war. This paper will discuss how the Third Reich’s Propaganda Ministry dedicated policy to using newspapers, radio programs, televisions, theatre, art and music to control the distribution of the Nazi ideology into the German public, and abroad. The Propaganda Ministry was responsible for creating some of the most exciting pieces of propaganda in the realm of music, the primary example being Charlie and His Orchestra, which aided the Nazi regime in sending propaganda music across broadcasts to taunt and lower the morale of U.S and Britain. The Nazis, through swing bands like Charlie and His Orchestra, created a slew of jazz songs that mocked, lowered morale, and intimidated the Allies and also disparaged the Jewish population. The music of propaganda swing might have sounded almost the same as popular swing songs like ‘Bye, Bye, Blackbird’ or ‘Makin’ Whoopee,’ but the lyrics had been altered to send political commentary to the Allies that mocked Winston Churchill and denigrated the Jewish population. This paper will discuss the fascinating ways in which the Nazis tried to both ban and utilize swing music to propagate their ideology, taunt the allies, and control the radio waves during World war II.
About the presenterLauren S Pierson
Lauren is pursuing a Master’s degree in History at Edinboro University. She previously earned her Bachelor’s degree at Edinboro in Political Science. Her academic interests are in women’s history, World War II, and political history. In her free time, Lauren enjoys reading, writing, and swing dancing.