hitler's rise to power on 30 january 1933 was quickly followed by actions intended to cleanse the culture of so-called degeneracy: book burnings were organized, artists and musicians were dismissed from teaching positions, and museum curators were replaced by party members. in september 1933 the "reichskulturkammer" (reich culture chamber) was established, administered by joseph goebbels, hitler's "reichminister für volksaufklärung und propaganda" (reich minister for public enlightenment and propaganda).