1933-39: Nazi Policies Towards the Young – The Hitler Youth & League of German Maidens Flashcards
Nazi youth groups overview
The young were the most important group in society for the Nazis. They believed that children were essential to make sure the German ‘Master Race’ survived and became powerful. Boys and girls were segregated (split up) in the youth groups as they would go on to serve a different role in Nazi Germany. The Nazis purposely took children away from their parents as much as possible so they only heard the views and opinions of the Nazis rather than their parents. Youth groups were a way to indoctrinate young people with propaganda when they were not in school. Some young people loved their youth groups, yet others hated their experiences. Others found it confusing as what they were being taught at school and in the youth groups was different to what their parents might teach them.
Youth organizations in Germany
❑ Youth Groups for boys and girls were popular in Germany before Hitler came to power and were nothing new. For example the Protestant Church Youth Group had over 600,000 members. However, the Nazi youth groups stood out from the others as they made themselves more fun and exciting.
❑ After 1933, the Nazis banned all other youth groups. This meant the only youth group became one of the Nazi youth groups.
❑ By 1936, the Hitler Youth became compulsory for all young people. In the same year, all sports facilities in Germany were run by the Nazi Party. This meant that the only way to use the sports facilities would be to join one of the Nazi youth groups. This was especially important as in 1936 Germany held the Olympic games.
The main aims for the Nazi youth were?
❑ That the youth should be proud and
patriotic towards Germany as their
‘motherland’.
❑ That all youth followed the aims of the Nazi
Party and admired Hitler as their Fuhrer.
❑ That all girls took on the role of strong, fertile and healthy mothers and wives.
❑ That all boys were strong and healthy and were willing to fight or work for Germany.
The Hitler youth
The Hitler Youth was the boys youth section of the Nazi Party. It was divided into groups for different age ranges but they all had similar aims for boys.
Hitler youth political aims
The Hitler Youth were still a political group as well as a youth group. It was the aim that all children had to be indoctrinated (brainwashed) into following the Nazi regime.
❑ Boys swore an oath of loyalty to Hitler much like the army had to.
❑ They attended weekend residential courses where they learned about Nazi ideas.
❑ They studied topics such as ‘German Heroes’ & ‘The Evil of Jews’.
❑ They were told to report anyone, even their parents who were disloyal to the Nazis.
❑ Boys were given a Hitler Youth dagger and smart uniform which made them feel respected and powerful.
Nazi youth physical aims
For boys to be fit & strong enough for the Germany armed forces.
Methods used
❑ Regular camping and hiking expeditions at weekends
❑ National and regional competitions for a variety of sports.
Hitler youth personality aims
The aim was to mould young boys into leaders, fighters, brave soldiers who learned to be loyal and ruthless in competition.
❑ In their oath of loyalty, boys said that they were willing to give up their life for Hitler.
❑ Military style ‘drill’ and discipline
was tough and made boys determined.
❑ Exercise was carried out in the wintry weather to toughen them up. There were harsh physical punishments.
Hitler youth military aims
To train boys in military skills from a young age and develop a range of practical skills.
Methods used
❑ Boys practiced skills such as map reading, signalling and building forts.
❑ By 1938, 1.2 million boys were trained to use hand guns and rifles.
❑ There was specialist training for boys wanting to join the Navy. E.g., the Naval Hitler Youth had 45,000 members and the Flying Hitler Youth had 74,000.
The league of German maidens
The main group for girls in Nazi Germany was called the League of German Maidens. Like the boys, the League of German Maidens was divided into groups aimed at different ages.
The similarities to the boys youth groups
❑ Girls would take part in political activities such as fundraising for the Nazi Party or going on trips to Nazi organised rallies such as the Nuremburg Rallies.
❑ There would be lots of physical exercise and character building activities such as compulsory camping and hiking trips.
The differences from the boys groups
❑ Girls were trained to cook, iron, make bed, sew and prepare the house as part of their
traditional female role.
❑ Girls were taught the importance of ‘racial
hygiene’ – the idea that the German race should be kept ‘pure’ by only
marrying an Aryan man.
Overall aims of the league of German maidens
❑ To persuade girls their role in life was to become a mother and housewife.
❑ To give girls the same loyalty to Hitler and Nazis as the boys.
❑ To believe in the motto, Kinder,
Kirche, Kuche (Children, Church, Kitchen).
