Travel

Hitler's Germany Third Reich Tourist Guide 1934 - English

Introduction

Taken at face value, it looks harmless enough: a rather quaint pocket-size guide published for English-speaking visitors to Germany in 1934. But when 'Travel in Germany' is placed in its historical context however, a rather more sinister picture emerges.

In 1934, Hitler had already been Chancellor for a year and his Minister of Propaganda had been ordered to present Germany in a favorable light to the outside world in the run-up to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

To the 1930's tourist then, the booklet extolled the virtues of a nation steeped in history and blessed with some of the most magnificent countryside in Europe. Its highly-idealized image proudly reminded would be visitors of a nation's charming local customs, sporting prowess, scientific advances and sophisticated culture while masking the darker activities which were going on inside Germany at the time.

Today, however, the guide presents an all-encompassing picture of how Hitler and the Nazis wanted the rest of the world to view Germany and how many indeed did view it.

As one happy American tourist quoted in the guide reports: 'I wish that every American could have an opportunity to make a trip to Germany and form a clear picture of this beautiful and industrious country.'

And another, no doubt carefully-selected, student tourist claims: 'We found nothing but order, a sense of unity, satisfaction and hope for the future of Germany under the new regime.'

Those who reported lyrical about their holidays to Germany were clearly unaware that by 1934, Dachau concentration camp had already been opened. Perhaps most ominous of all, the state railway company behind the the guidebook's publication, the Deutsche Reichsbahn, would later be responsible for transporting Jews to such camps.

But in 1934, war seemed a far-off possibility and much of Europe was still intrigued by Hitler's National Socialism and taken by a massive tourist propaganda onslaught designed to paint a picture of Nazi Germany as civilised, economically stable, ordered and above all, peaceful.

Contents

'Visit the heart of Europe.' Introduction to German geography, culture and history (15 pages)

'A trip through Germany.' Suggestions of three trips crossing Germany (3 pages)

'Transportation in Germany - Modern, efficient, inexpensive.' Information about train travel, train fares, train stations, air travel, car travel and bus (13 pages)

'Hints for travelers.' Information about language, passports, smoking, currency, hotels, souvenirs (4 pages)

Map of Germany with main railroad lines (2 pages)

Book details

Paperback: 52 pages

Pictures: 40 illustrations, several drawings and one map

Publisher: Foxley Books

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1905742053

ISBN-13: 978-1-905742-05-9

Product Dimensions: B&W 7.5 x 9.25 in or 235 x 191 mm Perfect Bound on White w/Gloss Lam

Price: UK £10.00 / US $15.00 / EU €12.50 / AUS $15.00 / CAN $15.00

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