Why did opposition to Hitler increase after 1942? Flashcards
How did Young people oppose the Nazis?
The White Rose group was formed by Hans and Sophie Scholl, students at Munich University. They published anti-Nazi leaflets, but were discovered and executed in 1943.
‘Swing’ groups were formed - Young people who rejected Nazi values, drank alcohol and danced to jazz. The Edelweiss Pirates painted anti-Nazi slogans and beat up Hitler Youth. In 1944, they killed the Gestapo chief in Cologne so the Nazis publicly hanged 12 of them.
How did the church oppose the Nazis?
After Hitler broke the concordant (agreement not to interfere with the Catholic Church) with the Pope, he issued a message ‘With Burning Concern’ attacking Hitler as ‘a mad prophet with repulsive arrogance’. This was read in every Catholic church.
Protestant pastors, led by Martin Niemöller, formed the Confessional Church to Hitler. Niemöller sent to a concentration camp from 1937-1945. Another pastor, Dietrich Bonhöffer, took part in the 1944 bomb plot and was executed.
How did the army oppose Hitler?
In 1944, a group of army officers tried to bomb Hitler. The bomb was planted by Colonel Stauffenberg in a briefcase. It exploded, but Hitler survived. In retaliation, 5000 people were executed.
Why did opposition increase after 1942?
Germany began to lose the war after 1942 - they retreated in Africa and Italy and surrendered in Russia, losing 200,000 men in Stalingrad in 1943. This lowered morale in the army and at home (they were used to winning).
Allied bombing raids on German cities began after 1942 lowering morale at home. ‘The Thousand Bomber Raid’ (named because it involved over 1000 bombers) on the city of Cologne devastated the city destroying 13,000 homes.
Living standards in Germany decreased. Increased rationing led to complaints. Goebbells called for ‘Total War’ in 1943 which made things worse, forcing women to go back to work and closing restaurants and bars.
