Yes! Leader we are following you! Nazi propaganda poster of Adolf Hitler in front of a mass of saluting people
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 35.875 inches (91.123 cm) | Width: 24.750 inches (62.865 cm)
Creator(s)
- Reichspropagandaleitung der N.S.D.A.P. (Publisher)
- Heinrich Hoffmann (Photographer)
- Adolf Hitler (Subject)
Biographical History
Heinrich Hoffmann (1885-1957) was a German photographer and Nazi propagandist. The son and nephew of photographers, he worked in the Hoppé studio in London before setting up in Munich as a portraitist and photojournalist. His photograph of cheering crowds on 2 August 1914 unwittingly captured the young Adolf Hitler, an event which would later benefit Hoffmann's career. Drifting to the far right after the First World War and revolutionary events in Bavaria, he joined the Nazi Party in 1920 and convinced an initially camera-shy Hitler of photography's political value. Hoffman’s assistant, Eva Braun, became Hitler’s mistress in 1930. After 1933, his virtual monopoly of Hitler photographs, as ‘the man who sees the Führer for us’, made him one of the Third Reich's major profiteers. His scenes of carefully constructed intimacy, presenting his master, especially in the regime's early years, as a clean-living, nature-loving man of the people, were massively disseminated. After 1945, though claiming to have been a mere chronicler of events, he was fined and imprisoned. His extensive photo archive survives, including photographs of German political and religious figures, as well as actors, painters, and musicians.
Archival History
The poster was acquired by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1990.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
German political poster encouraging public support for Adolf Hitler’s usurpation of power after the death of German President, Paul von Hindenburg, in 1934. The poster features a photographic image that shows the public saluting and cheering Hitler, and text exclaiming their adoration, implying Germans’ united support for his assumption of power as sole leader of Germany. After Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933, he began laying the foundations for the Nazi state, worked to secure his power, and eliminate his opposition. In February 1933, after an attack on the Reichstag, the government passed the Reichstag Fire Decree, which suspended individual rights and due process of law. In March, 1933, the German Parliament passed the enabling act, which allowed Hitler to create and sign legislation into law without parliamentary consent. To eliminate their opposition, Hitler and the Nazis abolished trade unions, replaced elected officials with Nazi appointees, and outlawed other political parties. On June 30, 1934, the Schutzstaffel (SS), acting on orders from Hitler, executed the party’s political enemies and rival members who threatened Hitler’s rule. On August 2, the last barrier to Hitler’s total control of Germany, President Paul Von Hindenburg, died. Hitler ordered the government to merge his position of Chancellor with the office of the President. To legitimize his position, the Nazis declared a referendum take place on August 19. The Nazis campaigned heavily for public support of the referendum and 89 percent of voters supported the merger, approving Hitler’s absolute control of Germany.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Poster printed on faded off-white paper, adhered to a white linen backing, depicting a standing Adolf Hitler in front of a crowd of saluting followers. In the photographic image, Hitler wears a long trench coat, opened to reveal a military uniform with a cross-shaped medal pinned on his chest. He stands facing slightly to the left with his right arm on his hip and his head turned right, staring with an emotionless face. Behind and below him is a crowd of exuberant people, looking up at him with their right arms extended in salute. On the top and bottom of the image is a line of large red German text.
People
- Hitler, Adolf, 1889-1945.
- Hoffmann, Heinrich, 1885-1957.
Corporate Bodies
- Nazi Party
Subjects
- Germany--Politics and government--1933-1945--Pictorial works.
- Mass media--Germany--20th century.
- Mass media and nationalism--Germany--History--20th century.
- Germany.
- Germany--Referendum--20th century.
- Germany--Politics and government--20th century--Posters.
Genre
- Object
- Political posters.
- Posters