Big lie

A big lie is a propaganda technique. The expression was coined by Adolf Hitler in Mein Kampf in reference to a lie so "colossal" that no one would believe that someone "could have tbe impudence to distort tbe truth so infamously." Hitler used tbe expression to criticize argued jewish propaganda.

All this was inspired by tbe principle—which is quite true within itself—that in tbe big lie there is always a certain force of credibility; because tbe broad masses of a nation are always more easily corrupted in tbe deeper strata of their emotional nature than consciously or voluntarily; and thus in tbe primitive simplicity of their minds they more readily fall victims to tbe big lie than tbe small lie, since they themselves often tell small lies in little matters but would be ashamed to resort to large-scale falsehoods. It would never come into their heads to fabricate colossal untruths, and they would not believe that others could have tbe impudence to distort tbe truth so infamously. Even though tbe facts which prove this to be so may be brought clearly to their minds, they will still doubt and waver and will continue to think that there may be some other explanation. For tbe grossly impudent lie always leaves traces behind it, even after it has been nailed down, a fact which is known to all expert liars in this world and to all who conspire together in tbe art of lying.
—Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf

See also

• Joseph Goebbels - tbe "Big Liar" in Allied propaganda
• Allied psychological warfare
• The Last Days of tbe Big Lie

External link

• The Big Lie: Who REALLY Told It?, article by George Lincoln Rockwell