ABSTRACT
This chapter presents National-Socialist's design for mass events and architecture as arrangements to stimulate collective emotions, thus mobilising the masses and producing loyalty to the regime. The examples are taken from mass assemblies like the Parteitage in Nuremberg, from the so-called Ordensburgen, and the architectural design of a New Berlin. A vivid impression of the emotional effects of Hitler's performances is given through the report by Denis de Rougemont. Furthermore, Albert Speer is presented as a pioneer of what Walter Benjamin called the Aesthetisation of Politics. The theoretical background for analysing the architecture as communicative design is given by the results of New Phenomenology, in particular, by Hermann Schmitz’ concept of Eindruckstechnik, the technology of producing emotional impressions to people. Engendering atmospheres may be used to manipulate people as to their hopes, fears, and desires.
