nazi youth groups Flashcards
nazi view of youth
saw the youth as the future of Germany and they wanted to control all of their free time
leader of Nazi youth organisations
Baldur Von Shirach, one of the first things he did was ban other youth organisations (e.g. scouts)
boys age groups
6-10 pimpfe
10-14 German Youth People (Cubs)
14-18 Hitler youth
girls age groups
10-14 Young Girls League
14-18 League of German Girls (BDM)
aims of boy groups
- physical training for the military
- brainwashing in Nazi ideology
aims of girl groups
- preparing lives as wives and mothers
activities in boy groups
- military style training: marching, camping, hiking, map reading and rifle shooting. Had uniforms and ranks like the army
all members had to swear an oath of loyalty and they also learnt Nazi ideology and race theory with lessons they called “German heroes” and “the evil of the Jews”
activities in girl groups
- sports intended to enhance fitness, strength and beauty. Had to be able to run 60 metres in 14 seconds
Trained to cook, iron, sew and prepare for life as a housewife. Also taught the importance of “racial hygiene”, they need to only marry a pure Aryan man.
significant emphasis on the importance of German mothers - to create and nurture Aryan children
1932
membership: 108,000
1936
Hitler Youth Act passed, membership was compulsory
were the youth groups successful - yes
millions joined the Nazi Youth groups and many went on to join the army and have Aryan children - it was popular and many of the young became Nazis
many young enjoyed the comradeship of the Hitler Youth
were the youth groups successful - no
secret youth groups like the Edelweiss Pirates and White Rose movement which were anti Nazi began to start
despite high membership, thousands avoided attending meetings and felt it was too much
