From the Diary of Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda, 25 March - 5 April 1933
Source: Joseph Goebbels, Vom Kaiserhof zur Reichskanzlei, (Munich 1937)
25 March 1933 :
The propaganda of atrocities abroad causes us difficulties. The many Jews who had emigrated from Germany are inciting against us everywhere. Now we have to pay the price for the former regime's not dealing with propaganda directed abroad. We are defenceless against the attacks of our enemies...
26 March 1933
...At night I leave for Munich and from there to Brechtesgaden where the Fuehrer has called me. The Fuehrer thoroughly examined the situation alone in the mountains and has reached a decision. We can face the liars abroad only if we act against those who are behind them and exploit these lies to their advantage, i.e., the Jews living in Germany, who have so far remained unharmed. We have to prepare for a general comprehensive boycott against Jewish shops in Germany. Maybe the Jews abroad will change their ways when their racial brothers in Germany are hurt....
27 March 1933:
I have dictated a pointed article against the Jewish atrocities propaganda. The mere declaration of a boycott makes them bend. One has to use these methods.... I forward my boycott order to the Fuehrer.... He will decide when to act. The Jewish press is shocked and trembling with fear. Many Jewish organisations in Germany have pledged their allegiance to the government.... A wonderful spring is dawning in Germany....
28 March 1933 :
I talked to the Fuehrer on the phone. The boycott order will be made public today. The Jews are in a panic.... I gathered all my assistants to elaborate the organisation of the boycott. We have to complete this by evening.... The government has decided on Gleichschaltung . The states and cities are in our hands. The government confirms the boycott order.
30 March 1933 :
Preparations for the boycott have been completed. Now we only have to push the button and things will start rolling....
31 March 1933 :
Many lower their heads and see ghosts. They claim the boycott will lead to war. If we defend ourselves, they will learn to respect us. We had a final consultation in a small group and decided to launch the boycott tomorrow with all our might. It will last one day. Then we will pause until Wednesday. Should the incitement abroad stop, we will stop the boycott. If not - we will fight till the bitter end. I make a speech in the evening.... The speech is broadcast on all stations. I again describe the events that practically force us to act by means of a boycott....
1 April:
The boycott against world wide incitement [claiming] outrages [against Jews] is under way with full fury in Berlin and everywhere in Germany.... All the Jewish shops are closed. Vigils of SA men are standing in front of their entrances. The public is displaying solidarity. Exemplary discipline prevails everywhere. It is an impressive spectacle. Everything is taking place with consummate order. In the Ministry, I am making several personnel changes, especially in the radio. The press department, too, has been restructured and is ready for action. Still to come is another tussle with the civil service, with which we shall clash for several years to come.... A hundred thousand young members of the Hitler Youth movement march this evening. Their parade in the city haze is a magnificently beautiful sight. I speak to them on the occasion of the Bismarck Memorial Day.... The boycott action is halted at midnight, as we decided. We are now waiting to see its results in media propaganda and abroad.
2 April 1933 :
The results of the boycott are clearly evident. The countries abroad have understood.
4 April 1933:
The incitement abroad has decreased considerably. The government has therefore decided not to continue the boycott, but to keep it as a constant threat....
5 April 1933 :
...It is very important to meet people from abroad and to give them the proper picture about the new Germany.... With time and effort we can convince anyone of the justice of our way....
