Weaponzing motherhood to further fascism: The Nazi Party and the AfD in Germany
Disciplines
Other International and Area Studies
Abstract (300 words maximum)
This essay and presentation will analyze visual propaganda from the National Socialist German Workers party (NSDAP or Nazi party) and the modern far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Thirty sources including articles and propaganda were studied. Propaganda published by the Nazi party was taken by magazine illustrations. Propaganda published by the AfD was taken from national campaign posters. The goal of this research is to compare how the propaganda from both parties depict motherhood. To do these three sets of propaganda will be compared. The first set shows how both parties use a white mothers’ body in their propaganda. The second set shows how both parties believe that mothers should use their children as a reason to fight for Germany. The third set shows how both parties use the idea of protecting children to further fascist beliefs. To demonstrate that the propaganda is not that far from the United States, the American company Harris Media creating propaganda for the AfD will also be examined. The definition of fascism will also be brought up to show how the word is being used in this research. The reason of this research is to show how these depictions harm women and are antifeminist. The women who believe in this propaganda further the white supremist fascism of these parties. The women most harmed are women of color who are not in high numbers in these parties because of the white supremist beliefs and anti-immigrant beliefs of the parties.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Foreign Languages
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Sabine Smith
Weaponzing motherhood to further fascism: The Nazi Party and the AfD in Germany
This essay and presentation will analyze visual propaganda from the National Socialist German Workers party (NSDAP or Nazi party) and the modern far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Thirty sources including articles and propaganda were studied. Propaganda published by the Nazi party was taken by magazine illustrations. Propaganda published by the AfD was taken from national campaign posters. The goal of this research is to compare how the propaganda from both parties depict motherhood. To do these three sets of propaganda will be compared. The first set shows how both parties use a white mothers’ body in their propaganda. The second set shows how both parties believe that mothers should use their children as a reason to fight for Germany. The third set shows how both parties use the idea of protecting children to further fascist beliefs. To demonstrate that the propaganda is not that far from the United States, the American company Harris Media creating propaganda for the AfD will also be examined. The definition of fascism will also be brought up to show how the word is being used in this research. The reason of this research is to show how these depictions harm women and are antifeminist. The women who believe in this propaganda further the white supremist fascism of these parties. The women most harmed are women of color who are not in high numbers in these parties because of the white supremist beliefs and anti-immigrant beliefs of the parties.