Opposition to Nazi Rule Flashcards
Overall: efficacy of resistance
Very ineffective - self-evident in that third riech only fell after 1945 defeat in WWII
Why fail?
- incredibly difficult to oppose –> control
- hard to organise (Gestapo, climate of scepticism of others, denouncements)
- if caught –> implicate family = discourage
- limited opposition –> censorship, propaganda, appearance of increased employment = most in support
- groups had different ideas abt post-Hitler world = couldn’t work together
Left-wing groups examples
communist + social democrat parties
social democrat reaction
fled country, network of inconspicuous groups, published reports abroad abt Hitler
communist part reaction
~more overt~
- underground organisations - distribute anti-Nazi leaflets
- spy rings - Red Orchestra
youth groups overall
- most rejected authoritative, bureaucratic Hitler Youth
Edelweiss pirates slogan, what they did
- eternal war on the hitler youth
- more of a nuisance + embarrassment
- disobeyed movement restrictions - holidayed + camped on weekends
Other examples of youth groups
White Rose (uni students), Swing Movement (jazz, want to do own thing)
The churches
- divided, no real action
What did pope pius XI do? (catholic)
after hitler concordat violation, 1937 issued statement condemning this, encouraging catholics to stick to own beliefs
protestant church
- less effective/united opposition, but some response to est. of Reich Church
- 2000 Lutheran priests defected
- confessing church est - christian > Nazi values
military
only group w/ potential to overthrow
- didn’t: personal oath, SA purge strengthened subservience, no real opposition until almost WWII - generals replaced
individuals overall
- very high risk, could protest through absenteeism, sabotage, anti-Nazi leaflets
(overall limited efficacy)
Georg Elser
- attempted 1939 assassination on Hitler, Goebbels, Goring
- acted completely alone
- planted bomb in speech hall, but Hitler left early = failed attempt but had potential to be incredibly effective
