Activity 2

Hungarian wartime propaganda

Basic didactic information

Between 1938 and 1941, Hungary regained some of its lost territories (Upper Hungary, Northern Transylvania, Southern Slovakia, and Northern Transylvania again in 1940). Wartime propaganda glorified these revisions, portrayed Hungary as resurrected, and mobilized youth and soldiers for national defense. 

Propaganda of journalistic information:

During the Second World War, propaganda in Hungary’s media was highly centralized and placed at the service of political power. Its goal was to encourage the population to support the war effort, to legitimize the alliance with Germany, and to construct images of the enemy. Below is a summary of the main characteristics:

1. Control of the media

● The press and radio were subjected to strict censorship.

● After the outbreak of the war, news was filtered through the Hungarian News Agency (MTI) and official government bodies.

2. Themes of wartime propaganda

● Justifying the German alliance: Propaganda emphasized the fight against the “Bolshevik threat” and demonized the Soviet Union.

● Enemy images: The Soviets, the Anglo-Saxons, and “the Jews” were presented as official enemies.

● Mobilizing national sentiment: The territorial re-annexations (Upper Hungary, Northern Transylvania, etc.) were presented as national successes.

● Supporting the army: Soldiers were depicted as heroes, while the population was urged to give donations and make sacrifices.

3. Types of media and tools

● Press: Daily newspapers (e.g., Magyar Nemzet, Pesti Hírlap) conveyed the government’s narrative. Independent voices were quickly silenced.

● Radio: Hungarian Radio was the most important channel, as it spread state messages quickly and widely.

● Posters and newsreels: Strongly visual, emotional tools encouraged support for the war. Screenings of Magyar Világhíradó newsreels were mandatory in cinemas.

● Books and pamphlets: Ideological works, “patriotic” literature, and antisemitic publications were also disseminated.

4. Turning point in 1944

● After the German occupation, propaganda became even more radical. Under the Arrow Cross regime, the press and radio were flooded with extreme, aggressive, openly racial and pro-German messages.

● By then, survival was the main concern, and propaganda often took on a threatening character.

Timing 

5 hours 

Introductory phase (45 minutes); development phase (135 minutes); Closing phase (45 minutes) 

Learning Dynamics

The activity to be carried out is structured in three phases: introduction, development and closure. Below is the task to be carried out in each of them.  

INTRODUCTION. 

Materials: Kahoot, posters, jeopardy game

1. Whole class activity: Kahoot game: True-False statements

2. We will divide the class into 5 working groups. 

3. Each group has to analyze three wartime posters  

a. Poster as a mirror of war and peace.

b. Divide the class into 5 groups. Each group receives three wartime posters.

c. Guiding questions:

Guiding questions:

1. What do you see in each poster? 

2. What emotions are targeted?

3. What symbols are being used?

4. What “truth” about Hungary’s situation is suggested?

Development of the Activity

From victory to reconstruction.

Reading and viewing of sources:

 Source 1: “Transylvania belongs to Hungary again!” (WWII).

Source 2: “Save wisely for them” (WWII).

Source 3: "Welcome back, Transdanubia!" (WWII). ("Hungary will be beautiful again, worthy of its old great fame." )

Questioning and Reflections

Part 1. Students analyze sources using the analysis sheet 

Who produced it and why?

 What message is conveyed literally?

 What hidden intentions are behind the message?

 Who is being deceived? (the Hungarian public? the international community?)

Groups compare: how does propaganda try to reconstruct national unity? 

 Part 2. Groups design a poster each using Canva.com. 

Situation: You are the propaganda factory. Design a poster that is supposed to make a lasting impact on the population. It should contain some national symbols, a claim for ceded territories and a slogan.

 CLOSURE

Jeopardy game 20 questions and accompanying discussion 

Continuity and rupture in propaganda.

 Class reflection:

 How do wartime posters differ from earlier ones in message and style?

 Why did both regimes need to maintain illusions of strength and unity?

 How can colorful posters hide harsh realities?

 Connection with today: Are there modern examples of governments using “bright images” to hide crises?

Links to Materials

Wartime posters: https://ritkanlathatotortenelem.blog.hu/2016/12/28/magyar_plakatok_a_ii_vilaghaborubol