Opposition towards the Nazis. Flashcards
1
Q
Group: Communists
Opposition: Red Orchestra
A
- They had most of their support in working class areas in large cities.
- They produced pamphlets.
- The Red Orchestra, a spy network, sent information to the Soviet Union.
2
Q
How effective were the Communists?
A
- Their impact was limited as the leadership had been arrested after the Reichstag fire.
- Pamphlets had little impact and many communists were more concerned with simply avoiding arrest.
- The Gestapo infiltrated their networks with informers and made it very difficult for them to operate.
3
Q
Group: Social Democrats
Opposition:Underground organisation.
A
- They also had support among the working class and like the communists had been banned.
- They produced pamphlets attacking the regime.
- An underground organisation run by the exiled party from Prague gathered information and spread discontent.
4
Q
How effective were the Social Democrats?
A
- Like communists much of the leadership had been arrested and the party banned.
- They didn’t co operate with the communists and this weakened left - wing opposition.
- Many were simply concerned with self - preservation.
5
Q
Group: Trade Unions
Opposition: Strikes 1935 - 6
A
- They had support in the working class.
- There were strikes in 1935 - 6 with a working class identity enabling opposition to survive.
6
Q
How effective were the Trade Unions?
A
- Industrial action was not effective and they had been weakened following arrests in 1933 - 34 and the establishment of the German Labour front to replace independent unions.
7
Q
Group: Churches
Opposition: Protestant & Catholic -> Von Galen.
A
- There were criticisms of some Nazi policies from the pulpits of both Protestants and Catholic churches.
- 1941, Bishop of Munster, Von Galen condemned euthanasia.
8
Q
How effective were the churches?
A
- Most were pragmatic in their response in order to preserve religious practices.
- Although Galen’s attack on euthanasia did result in temporary suspension, they didn’t provide an effective opposition as many lower level clergy who did speak out against the regime were sent to camps.
9
Q
Group: Youth
Opposition: Swing Youth, Eldelwass pirates.
A
- A number of groups opposed to the Hitler Youth were established during the war, such as the Swing Youth and the Eldelwass pirates.
- These showed some signs of resistance to Nazi conformity by playing jazz and in some cases attacking local members of the Hitler Youth.
10
Q
How effective were the Youth?
A
- The actual opposition was limited.
- There were some attacks on members of the Hitler Youth and Gestapo offices, but little of significance, many simply wanted to listen to music and disliked the military emphasis of the Hitler Youth.
11
Q
Group: Conservatives
Opposition: Civil service
A
- These were members of the civil service who disliked the more radical policies.
12
Q
How effective were the conservatives?
A
- Although they shared information, little direct action was taken before the war, with resistance developing only later.
