War and Its Legacy in Germany - Opposition to the Nazis During WWII Flashcards
Was there opposition to the Nazis during the Second World War?
Opposition to the Nazis increased as the Second World War began to have a greater impact on the lives of ordinary Germans. Opposition groups included:
- The Swing Youth.
- The Edelweiss Pirates.
- The White Rose Group.
Who were the Swing Youth?
The Swing Youth was a middle-class movement that started in many large German towns. They wanted to listen to jazz music.
Why were the Swing Youth not allowed to listen to jazz music?
The Nazis considered jazz music ‘degenerate’ because of its links to African Americans.
What happened to the Swing Youth?
The Nazis were threatened by Swing Youth’s activities so closed down the bars they were known to attend. Some members of the movement were arrested and given short sentences in concentration camps.
Who were the Edelweiss Pirates?
The Edelweiss Pirates were a working class movement that started in 1937. They hated the Hitler Youth.
What did the Edelweiss Pirates do?
They would beat up Hitler Youth members. They also wore clothing unacceptable to the Nazis and listened to music that was banned.
What impact did the Edelweiss Pirates have?
While they were never a real threat to the Nazis, their activities increased as the war progressed. They provided shelter for army deserters and helped prisoners escape from concentration camps. They derailed trains going to the camps and stole food and supplies.
What happened to the Cologne Edelweiss Pirates?
A member of the Cologne Pirates was executed for planning to blow up a Gestapo building in 1944.
What was the July bomb plot?
The July bomb plot was an attempt by the German military to assassinate Hitler by planting a bomb in a leather bag on 20th July, 1944. It was called ‘Operation Valkyrie’.
Who was involved in the July bomb plot?
- General Ludwig Beck.
- Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg.
- Dr Carl Goerdeler, an anti-Nazi politician.
What was the plan for the July bomb plot?
The plan was to kill Hitler with a bomb, it would be left in a leather bag under a table inside Hitler’s headquarters in East Berlin. Once Hitler was dead, the army would take control of Berlin and make Carl Goerdeler chancellor.
Why did the July bomb plot fail?
The plot failed because someone moved the briefcase that contained the bomb further away from Hitler. The bomb exploded, killing 4 people, and Hitler survived with minor injuries.
What happened to those involved in the July bomb plot?
- General Ludwig Beck attempted to commit suicide, failed and was shot.
- Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg was shot.
- Dr Carl Goerdeler was hanged.
- Himmler was tasked with finding all those involved. In total 7,000 people were arrested, and 6,000 of them executed.
