The Infiltration of German Propaganda Into American Culture

by Aleksandra Rode
(English major)

During World War II, propaganda saturated the eyes and ears of countless Germans. Films, such as Triumph of the Will declared the superiority of Hitler's ideas and hopes for the future, while posters increased the ever-rising nationalism of the public. Radio was a major part of everyday life and an inventive way to bring anti-Semitic discourse to the ordinary days of the people. Hitler knew how effective propaganda could be and conveyed that "propaganda for the masses had to be simple, it had to aim at the lowest level of intelligence, and it had to be reduced to easily learned slogans which then had to be repeated many times, concentrating on such emotional elements as love and hatred" (Welch, 3). In short, he had to circulate the kind of information that everyone would understand and remember. Today, people from the United States look at World War II with horror and disbelief, wondering just how could the Germans be so "brain washed" to agree that it was a good idea to kill off an entire culture? Many do not realize that Hitler's propaganda was so well thought out that his ideas had seeped into everything -- including American culture.

Although, the United States fought against the Nazi ideals, there were subtle ways that German ideas affected American society. A prime example of Hitler's propaganda that leaked into American society is the sample of anti-Semitic verse, simply titled "To the Tune of the Marine Hymn." This passage was circulated widely between civilians and soldiers in the United States during World War II and is sung to the tune of the Marine Hymn. It brilliantly plays on the stereotypes of the Jewish culture that were accepted by many as a reality.

By setting the passage to the tune of the Marine Hymn, this piece of propaganda gives American men a sense of nationalism, as well as a very familiar and catchy tune that will stay in their minds. The well-known melody helps to downplay the intolerance of Jews in the lyrics and it is easy for many people who are not paying attention to miss the stereotypes that are played out. Instead, there is almost a sense of comedy or a softening of the evil intentions of the appalling lyrics.

The lyrics of the song are ideas that were commonplace to the American population during the time of World War II. America was very familiar with the image of money-grubbing Jews and had become desensitized long ago to the inaccuracy of this picture of Jewish people. The writer sees the Jewish population as a bunch of deceptive moneymakers that are not only out to advance themselves, but are also willing to send Christians out to their deaths. This kind of anti-Semitism numbed the sympathy among many Christians and helped to impair the efforts for a more active government response against the Nazis (Abzug, 149).

Another thing that gives this song such an impact is the way that the writer creates the singer as a Jew in stanzas three, five and six. By having a Jew as the narrator, it is almost as if he is admitting that all Jews are exactly as the stereotype classifies them. In the third stanza of the song the Jew says describes the Christians as saps. By calling the Christians "saps," the Jew lets the public know that he thinks it is a joke that the Christians feel that it is morally necessary to fight. This stereotypical Jew will let the Christians fight while he is earning all of their money and taking their jobs -- two things which scare every Christian.

Overall, this poem is an excellent example of propaganda. One of the reasons it works so well is because it works from the inside-out. It is directed toward men in the United States army, an army that is supposed to be defending the Jews. Because of stereotypes like the ones in the song, there was an underlying resentment for Jews in many of our soldiers. Whether it is on the Internet, books, or on television, today there is still anti-Semitic discourse in the United States. Hitler's propaganda made a great impact on many people and because of its brilliant psychology, it still lasts today.

Example of Anti-Semitic Verse from WW II Era:

To the Tune of the Marine Hymn (source: Abzug)

From the shores of Coney Island
Looking eastward to the sea
Stands a kosher air-raid warden
Wearing a V for victory.

And the gentle breezes fill the air
With the hot dogs from Cohen's stand
Only Christian boys are drafted
From Coney Island's sands.

Oh, we Jews are not afraid to say
We'll stay home and give first aid
Let the Christian saps go fight the Japs
In the uniforms we made.

If the Army or the Navy
Ever gaze on heaven's scene
They will find the Jews are selling shoes
To the United States Marines.

So it's onward into battle
Let us send the Christian slobs
When war is done and victory won
All us Jews will have their jobs.

If your son is drafted don't complain
When he sails across the pond
For us Jews have made it possible
All of us have bought a bond.

And when peace has come to us again
And we've licked that Hitler louse
You will find a Jew a-ruling you
In Washington's great White House.

Works Cited

Abzug, Robert H. Abzug. America Views the Holocaust 1933-1945. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's, 1999, pg. 150.

Welch David, Nazi Propaganda. New Jersey: Barnes & Noble, 1983.