Joseph Goebbels

1897- 1945

German Nazi Leader

Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels received a PhD in Literature and History from the University of Heidelberg. In 1922, he joined the Nazi Party and quickly climbed through the party ranks.

When Hitler came to power in 1933, Goebbels was appointed propaganda chief, controlling all forms of German media -- print, radio, film and theater.

He used that position to glorify the Nazi movement and attack its opponents. As the war's end approached and Russian troops arrived in Berlin, Goebbels poisoned his six children, and then he and his wife shot themselves.