The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum presents the traveling exhibition “State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda” running today, March 10 through Aug. 31 at the Los Angeles Central Library.

The exhibit examines the Nazi Party’s sophisticated and sinister propaganda machine that spread lies about its political opponents, Jews and the need to justify war. For the Nazis to achieve power and pursue their racial policies and expansionist war efforts, a propaganda campaign was needed that appealed to broad segments of the population, not just those from the fanatical extreme.

“State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda” presents a multimedia environment illustrating the insidious allure of Nazi propaganda. It also challenges visitors to think critically about the messages they read and hear today.

“Adolf Hitler was an avid student of propaganda and fully utilized contemporary technology. Radio was the Internet of its day, crossing national borders and able to reach millions,” said exhibition curator Steven Luckert. “Today, many extremist political parties and terrorist organizations such as ISIS deftly leverage propaganda to recruit followers and incite violence using many of the same techniques honed by the Nazi Party.”

The exhibition reveals how shortly after World War I, the Nazi Party began to transform itself from an obscure, extremist group into the largest political party in democratic Germany. Hitler recognized how propaganda, combined with the use of terror, could help his radical party gain mass support and votes. He personally adapted the ancient symbol of the swastika and the emotive colors of red, black and white to create the movement’s flag. In doing so, Hitler established a potent visual identity that branded the Nazi Party.

As Germany pushed the world into war, Nazi propaganda rationalized the country’s territorial expansion as self-defense. Jews were depicted as agents of disease and corruption. The Nazis’ actions against them, in Germany and occupied countries, were promoted as necessary measures to protect the population at large.

The Los Angeles Central Library is located at 630 W. Fifth St. The museum will offer special training opportunities for Los Angeles educators, as well as public programming. For information and schedule visit www.ushmm.org/events.