Das Reich (German: The Reich[1]) was a weekly newspaper founded by Joseph Goebbels, the propaganda minister of Nazi Germany, in May 1940.[2] It was published by Deutscher Verlag.
Das Reich was mainly the creation of Rudolf Sparing, Rolf Rienhardt and Max Amann.[3]
Its circulation grew from 500,000 in October 1940 to over 1,400,000 by 1944.[4]
Aside from a weekly editorial, Goebbels was not involved in the publication.[5] Most, but not all, of his articles after 1940 appeared in it.[6] In the 1930s his articles had appeared in Der Völkische Beobachter but then he wished to target a more sophisticated and intellectual readership. From May 1940 he wrote 218 editorials.[7]
When Allied forces landed in Italy, and Mussolini was briefly deposed, Goebbels decided not to write an editorial.[8]
The paper contained news reports, essays on various subjects, book reviews, and an editorial written by Goebbels.[9] Some of the content was written by foreign authors.[10] With the exception of Goebbels’ editorial, Das Reich did not share the tone of other Nazi publications.[11]
Among other topics, it covered the uncertain casualty lists from Stalingrad,[12] distinguished between German and Allied invasions to suggest the latter would be unsuccessful,[13] discussed the bombing raids[14] and the V-1,[15] deplored American culture,[16] portrays American morale as poor (though not suggesting they would give up because of it),[17] and finally declared that Berlin would fight to the end.[18]
Goebbels's editorials covered a wide range of topics. His first bragged of the accomplishments of Nazi Germany, which was then conquering France.[19] He spoke with continuing confidence as France fell, of the opportunities the "plutocracies" had missed for peace.[20] Later he issued vitriolic anti-Semitic articles,[21] [22] [23] [24] argued against listening to enemy propaganda.[25] encouraged them for total war[26] declared England bound to lose the war,[27] attacked the still neutral United States,[28] discussed the significance of its entry into the war,[29] talked about prospects for a new year,[30] presented German radio as a good companion (when, in fact, he hoped to lure them from enemy propaganda broadcasts),[31] professed to be delighted that Churchill was in command in Britain,[32] discussed cuts in food rations and severe treatment for black market dealings,[33] urged that complaints not get in the way of the war effort,[34] accused Douglas MacArthur of cowardice (ineffectually, as the Germans knew he had been ordered to leave),[35] talked of the Allied bombing,[36] describes the sinking of Allied ships by German U-boats,[37] explained Soviet resistance in Sevastopol as product of a stubborn but bestial Russian soul,[38] decried the United States as having no culture,[39] urged that Germans not allow their sense of justice be exploited by their enemies,[40] [41] and claimed that the Allies were as weary as the Axis.[42]
His final article in April 1945 called for last-ditch resistance.[43]
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