Nazi policies towardsthe young Flashcards
What was the Hitlers Youth?
The Hitler Youth was the group for boys set up by the Nazis. During the Weimar Republic it was common for political parties to set up youth wings for the party, and the Nazis were no different. However, when Hitler became Chancellor, these alternative groups were banned and everyone was encouraged to join the Hitler Youth instead. This was eventually made compulsory in 1939.
What did the Nazi use hitlers youth for?
The Nazis also used the Hitler Youth to create model German citizens who would fit with the Nazi ideals. As the Nazis placed a huge emphasis on the strong overcoming the weak, the Hitler Youth had a strong regime of physical fitness, including hikes and trips into the mountains. The emphasis of physical fitness was accompanied by military style training, after all the Nazis wanted members of the Hitler Youth to become soldiers for the Reich.
What was the league of german maiden?
Where the Hitler Youth was for boys, the League of German Maiden’s or BDM was for girls. The experience of both boys and girls would be similar in some ways to prepare them for life in Nazi Germany. For example, girls would be subject to same lessons about German History and the ideas of the Nazis. This would be complemented by rallies and the swearing of oaths to Hitler and the Party.
What were girls taught?
Girls instead of military training were taught to be good wives and housewives. They focused on all aspects of housework including ironing, cooking, and sewing. The Nazis also used the League of German Maidens to instruct girls about what to look for in a husband and what to avoid. This was known as racial hygiene.
How did the Nazi control teaching?
Controlling education in Germany meant controlling the teachers in schools. The Nazis set up the Nazi Teachers’ League to educate teachers in the Nazi ideas which they would teach the children. Membership of the League was compulsory, and any refusal meant teachers lost their jobs. In this way, the Nazis controlled the staff working in schools to ensure their message remained pure and undiluted.
What subjects did they change?
The Nazis also changed what schools taught. They added new subjects and altered some to make them more German or as methods of indoctrinating pupils in Nazi ideas and beliefs. New subjects included Race Studies or Eugenics, which focussed on racial groups of people, what to look for in partners and how Germans were far superior to other groups. Subjects which were altered included history which emphasised German victories and highlighted certain groups such as the Jews as betrayers of Germany.
Why were boys and girls kept separate?
The Nazis separated boys and girls so that they could be taught different subjects so they could fulfil the roles they were expected to in society. Girls were taught how to be good housewives and mothers, and boys had a focus on physical fitness.
