Interpretation Qs

Question 1

What was life like for young people in Nazi Germany?

Answer 1

1. Nazis wanted to control every aspect of young people’s lives, in school and out. Students were indoctrinated at school: teachers had to put across Nazi ideas in lessons, or face being sacked.
2. The Hitler Youth was founded in July 1926. Boys wore a uniform and were taught history, eugenics and trained in military skills. Their motto was “Germany must live, even if we die”. In 1933 there were around 7.5 million members, and in 1936, the Nazi regime made it the only legal youth organization in Germany. Membership became cumposlory in 1939 when around 90% of all boys were members of the Hitler Youth.
3. Girls, in the League of German Maidens, also wore a uniform and were taught eugenics, PE and how to look after their families and homes.
4. Both boys and girls were taught Nazi ideas and were encouraged to inform on their parents.
5. New Napolas, or “Adolf Hitler” schools were created for the best students. Controlled by the SS and seen as a future source of Government and army leaders.
6. School curriculum focused on PE, Germany history and Biology. They were taught that the Aryan race was superior, how to indentify Jews and other inferior races, and that they should’t mix with other races. All subjects taught Nazi propoganda and beliefs.
7. Boys went to Hitler youth meetins after school and weekend camps. Activities were based on competition, leadership, heroism and struggle.
8. Girls were encouraged to focus on staying fit, cooking, and how to prepare for motherhood. They also attended weekend camps.
9. Universities had to offer courses reflecting what Nazis wanted, and top professors were selected by Nazis. All students had to train for one moth every year.

Question 2

What was opposition to Hitler?

Answer 2

1. Despite the attempts made by the Nazi’s to control the German population, there was some opposition.
2. The Nazi’s adopted tactics designed to create fear and horror in response to anyone who disapproved of their reigme.

• POLITICAL PARTIES.
  1. Communist and Socialist parties. Democrats wanted democracy restored to Germany with free speech and workers rights.
  2. They held secret meetings, wrote anti-nazi graffiti and leaflets, established underground organisations and organised industrial sabotage and strikes.
  3. Communist groups passed on military secrets to Russia.
  4. Opposition parties were banned in July 1933, with leaders and supporters sent to concentration camps, tortured, killed or forced to move abroad.
• YOUTH
  1. Edelweiss Pirate groups were local groups made up of young working class children whose aim was to have fun. They listened to banned swing music and wrote anti-nazi graffiti. They fought with local groups of Hitler Youth and wore clothes considered extreme by the Nazis. Over 700 were arrested and 12 members were hanged for killing a Gestapo officer.
  2. The Swing Youth organised parties to dance to American Jazz music, went to nightclubs, wrote anti-nazi graffiti and had Jewish friends. They did not take part in the activities of the Hitler Youth.
  3. The White Rose were university students led by Hans and Sophie Scholl. They wrote anti-nazi pamphlets which were mass produced and circulated in university buildings. They were seen by a university caretaker and reported, and were arrested and executed.
• CHURCHES
  1. Catholic priests criticised Hitler in church and gave loyalty to the Pope.
  2. Protestant pastors also criticised Hitler.
  3. This opposition was ineffective as priests/pastors were persecuted or executed, e.g. Dietrich Bonhoffer.
• ARMY
  1. Admiral Canaris tried to plot Hitler’s overthrow in the early stages of the war believing he would lead Germany to defeat. Canaris was later executed for high treason.
  2. In 1944, a group of Generals plotted to kill H itler with a bomb. The bomb went off, but Hitler survived. The Generals, including Colonel Von Staffenberg, were rounded up and executed.
• TRADE UNIONS
  1. Banned in May 1933
  2. Offices closed, money confiscated, leaders imprisoned.