Nazi focus for Youth and Education.

Question 1

What did they expect to happen?
- Teachers.

Answer 1

• Teaching regime felt under threat, despite sympathy for the regime.
• 32% were members of the party in 1936.
• Anti - academic ethos and crude indoctrination alienated many.
• Standards in traditional academic subjects had fallen -> in the various elite schools, physical development dominated
  -> as well as German language and literature, history and biology.
• By 1938 recruitment of teachers declined, there was 8000 vacancies -> only 2500 graduating from teacher training colleges.
• In higher education number of students 1/2 even before the war.

Question 2

What did they expect to happen?
- Curriculum.

Answer 2

• 1934 control was taken from the regional states and centralised under Reich Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.
  -> able to adapt existing system to suit Nazi purposes.
• Jewish teachers banned and female teachers encouraged to conform to Nazi values by returning to home.
  NSLB (National Socialist Teachers League) established -> by 1937 included 97% of all teachers and 2/3 of profession had been on month long courses on Nazi ideology.
• Curricula and syllabuses adapted -> greater emphasis on physical education, 15% of school time given to it.
• Religious studies dropped to downgrade importance of Christianity and creation of various types of elite schools.
• Focused more on German language and literature, history and biology.

Question 3

Curriculum: German language and literature:

Answer 3

• This was studied to create a “consciousness of being German” and to install a martial and nationalist spirit.

Question 4

Curriculum: History:

Answer 4

• This was given a special place in Nazi curriculum, so the glories of German nationalism could be emphasised.

Question 5

Curriculum: Biology:

Answer 5

• This became the means to deliver Nazi radical theory: ethnic classification, population policy and radical genetics all were integrated into the syllabus.

Question 6

What did they expect to happen?
- Extra Curriculum.

Answer 6

• Hitler Youth embraced a range of youth groups under control of its leader Baldur Von Schirach.
• Parents pressured to en roll children, by 1939 membership became compulsory.
• There was stress on political indoctrination, emphasising the life and achievements of the Führer.
• Sexes were moulded for their future roles in Nazi society.
• Boys engaged in endless physical and military type activities (e.g. target shooting).
• Girls prepared for domestic and maternal tasks (e.g. cooking).

Question 7

What did they expect to happen?
- Conformity.

Answer 7

• Impact of HJ was very mixed.
• Emphasis on teamwork and extracurricular activities was welcomed.
• Provisions for sports, camping and music genuinely excited many of the Youth -> those from poorer backgrounds the HJ really offered opportunities.
• The HJ suffered from its over - rapid expansion -> leadership was inadequate.
• By late 1930’s it became more difficult to run the movement effectively, result = the increasing Nazi emphasis on military drill and discipline was resented.
• By 1939, the alienation and dissent of the youth population increased rapidly.