Opposition to the Nazis

Question 1

What groups opposed the Nazi regime?

Answer 1

• Young people
• The Church
• The SDP (a party)
• Workers
• An individual: Ludwig Belk

Question 2

What opposition was there to the Nazis from young people?

Answer 2

• Edelweiss Pirates
• Swingjugend (swing youth)
• White Rose Movement

Question 3

Who were the Edelweiss Pirates?

Answer 3

• Proto-punk movement (disagreeing with authority)
• Working class backgrounds
• Played Amercian jazz music, which the Nazis hated, rewritten with politically provocative lyrics
• Took pride in beating up members of Hitler Youth

Question 4

Who were the Swingjugend?

Answer 4

• Typically middle to upper class backgrounds
• Played swing, which the Nazis hated and associated with black people

Question 5

Who were the White Rose Movement?

Answer 5

• Non-violent resistance group
• Wore a white flower to signify themselves
• Used graffiti and leaflets to call for active resistance to the Nazis

Question 6

Give 2 examples of the Nazis’ responses to youth resistance.

Answer 6

• 1944: 12 Edelweiss Pirates hanged
• 1938: Sophie Scoll, member of the White Rose Movement who handed out leaflets, was arrested and executed with a guillotine

Question 7

Explain the resistance to the Nazis from workers.

Answer 7

• Trade unions banned + SA officers occupied their offices
• Nazis set up German Labour Front to replace trade unions
• Leaders of resistance encouraged absenteeism (not working) and reducing productivity
• Wasn’t successful or widespread resistance as the GLF was popular among workers

Question 8

How did the SDP resist the Nazis?

Answer 8

• 1933: political opposition banned
• 1933: SDP created an opposition newspaper, the “Red Shock Troop”
• Organisers were arrested and sent to concentration camps
• SDP then set up SOPADE, criticising the Nazis from the safety of Prague
• But opposition from exile wasn’t very impactful

Question 9

How did Ludwig Beck resist the Nazis?

Answer 9

• Was Cheif of Staff of the German army - thought totalitarianism had gone too far
• 1938: tried to get fellow officers to arrest Hitler
• Sent a message to the British, saying the army wouldn’t fight back if they invaded
• Beck led plots to kill Hitler in 1943 and 1944
• Was executed for treason