Pushkarenko E. A., Mamaeva T. P., Shamrina E. A.

GERMAN PROPAGANDA AMONG THE RURAL POPULATION IN THE OCCUPIED SOVIET TERRITORY (ON THE MATERIALS OF THE GENERAL DISTRICT OF BELARUS)

The article analyzes the content of German propaganda materials addressed to the rural population of the occupied Soviet territories (based on the materials of the General district of Belarus). The purpose of the work: to establish the main forms and methods of ideological influence on the rural population of the district, to trace its evolution, to determine the effectiveness of German propaganda. Research methods-analysis, synthesis, comparison. The work is based on previously unpublished historical sources, including documents from the National archive of the Republic of Belarus (NARB). The author examines the materials of the propaganda campaigns «New land law» and «Defensive villages» and comes to the conclusion that their purpose was to attract the local population to solve the economic and military-political tasks of the German occupation authorities. The paper notes the ambiguous position of the General Commissioner of Belarus V. Kube in ensuring the implementation of military supplies by the Belarusian population. The researcher comes to the conclusion that the invaders ‘ plans to attract Belarusians to perform military supplies for the needs of the Reich, as well as the desire to cause a mass popular upsurge against the advancing red Army units, failed. Massive anti-Soviet propaganda proved ineffective. The efforts of German propagandists were offset by the extremely brutal occupation regime, including methods of fighting partisans, PUNITIVE SS expeditions against civilians, the genocide of Jews, forced recruitment to work in Germany and in numerous collaborationist organizations.

Keywords: General district of Belarus, rural population,» New land law»,» defensive villages», German propaganda, occupied territory, ideological influence.

Belgorod state national research University

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