# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Hitlers Famous Symbol that represented Nazi Party

# data[].attributes.body
So, what was the overall impact from the movements?

Some in hindsight might believe the movements didn't accomplish anything, which can be read both ways. Though the groups did not grow large enough, messages were still spread. In the long run, those who were in the Youth Groups accomplished something amazing, something that citizens never believed could happen. They spread needed light in a dark situation.

# data[].attributes.body
Why do the German people behave so apathetically in face of all these dreadful and inhuman crimes? It is high time we uprooted the ‘Brown Horde’. We shall only do this by cooperation between many convinced and bold men who agreed on how to achieve their aims.”

Leaflet written by Hans Scholl.

# data[].attributes.body
“The weak must be chiseled away. I want young men and women who can suffer pain. A young German must be as swift as a greyhound, as tough as leather, and as hard as Krupp’s steel.”

Adolf Hitler

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Citation: C N Trueman "Hitler Youth Movement"
historylearningsite.co.uk. The History Learning Site, . .

The Hitler Youth was a logical extension of Hitler's belief that the future of Nazi Germany was its children. The Hitler Youth was seen as being as important to a child as school was. In the early years of the Nazi government, Hitler had made it clear as to what he expected German children to be like:

"The weak must be chiselled away. I want young men and women who can suffer pain. A young German must be as swift as a greyhound, as tough as leather, and as hard as Krupp's steel."

Nazi education schemes part fitted in with this but Hitler wanted to occupy the minds of the young in Nazi Germany even more.

Movements for youngsters were part of German culture and the Hitler Youth had been created in the 1920's. By 1933 its membership stood at 100,000. After Hitler came to power, all other youth movements were abolished and as a result the Hitler Youth grew quickly. In 1936, the figure stood at 4 million members. In 1936, it became all but compulsory to join the Hitler Youth. Youths could avoid doing any active service if they paid their subscription but this became all but impossible after 1939.

The Hitler Youth catered for 10 to 18 year olds. There were separate organisations for boys and girls. The task of the boys section was to prepare the boys for military service. For girls, the organisation prepared them for motherhood.

Boys at 10, joined the Deutsches Jungvolk (German Young People) until the age of 13 when they transferred to the Hitler Jugend (Hitler Youth) until the age of 18. In 1936, the writer J R Tunus wrote about the activities of the Hitler Jugend. He stated that part of their "military athletics" (Wehrsport) included marching, bayonet drill, grenade throwing, trench digging, map reading, gas defence, use of dugouts, how to get under barbed wire and pistol shooting.

Girls, at the age of 10, joined the Jungmadelbund (League of Young Girls) and at the age of 14 transferred to the Bund Deutscher Madel (League of German Girls). Girls had to be able to run 60 metres in 14 seconds, throw a ball 12 metres, complete a 2 hour march, swim 100 metres and know how to make a bed.

"Every girl belongs to us"
League of German Maidens poster

The whole Hitler Youth movement was overseen by Balder von Shirach.

To the outside world, the Hitler Youth seemed to personify German discipline. In fact, this image was far from accurate. School teachers complained that boys and girls were so tired from attending evening meetings of the Hitler Youth, that they could barely stay awake the next day at school. Also by 1938, attendance at Hitler Youth meetings was so poor - barely 25% - that the authorities decided to tighten up attendance with the 1939 law making attendance compulsory.

Further Reading:

Related Posts

The League of German Girls (Bund Deutsche Mädel or BDM) was part of the Hitler Youth movement in Nazi Germany. The League of German Girls...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Hitler Youth Movement - History Learning Site

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Hitler Youth was a logical extension of Hitler's belief that the future of Nazi Germany was its children. The Hitler Youth was seen as being as important to a child as school was. In the early years of the Nazi government, Hitler had made it clear as to what he expected German children to be ...

# data[].attributes.body
2

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Citation: C N Trueman "The Nazi Police State"
historylearningsite.co.uk. The History Learning Site, 9 Mar 2015. 2 May 2018.

The Nazi Police State was to ensure that everybody did as they were told - or paid the price. The Nazi Police were controlled by Heinrich Himmler and his feared secret police - the Gestapo - did as it pleased in Nazi Germany. Children's loyalty could be developed with a policy of indoctrination via education and the Hitler Youth movement. Time and planning spent in these areas would bring a suitable reward for Hitler.

Adults were a different proposition. Some adults clearly supported Hitler - as the March 1933 election showed. But the same election clearly showed that a substantial number of Germans did not support Hitler and the Nazis. These people were likely to be a constant thorn for Hitler unless they were dealt with. For these people, the Nazis developed a policy of intimidation. Fear became a by-word for those who did not support Hitler. The wrong comment overheard by a Nazi official could have very serious consequences.

Hitler's police state worked on the rule that if you said nothing, no harm, could come to you. If you had doubts about the way the country was going, you kept them to yourself - or paid the price. As nearly 17 million people had not voted for either the Nazis or the Nationalist in March 1933, a large and visible police force was required to keep this sizeable group under observation and control.

In Nazi Germany the police were allowed to arrest people on suspicion that they were about to do wrong. This gave the police huge powers. All local police units had to draw up a list of people in their locality who might be suspected of being "Enemies of the State". This list was given to the Gestapo - the Secret Police. The Gestapo had the power to do as it liked. Its leader - Reinhard Heydrich - was one of the most feared man in Nazi Germany. His immediate chief was Heinrich Himmler. Both men ran their respective branches with ruthless efficiency.

Those arrested by either the police or the Gestapo had less than three minutes to pack clothing and say their goodbyes. Once arrested, they were sent to the nearest police cell. Those in custody were told to sign Form D-11; this was an "Order For Protective Custody". By signing this, you agreed to go to prison. Those who did not sign it were beaten until they did or officers simply forged their signature. Once a D-11 was signed, you were sent to a concentration camp. How long you stayed here depended on the authorities. The usual rule of thumb was whether it was felt that you had learned your lesson (even if there had not been one to learn) and would behave in an acceptable manner once outside of prison.

The concentration camps were deliberately barbaric. Before 1939, deaths in them occurred but they were not common. The idea was that anybody who had been in one, once released, would 'advertise' the fact that they were not places where people wanted to go. This was another way of ensuring that people kept their ideas to themselves.

The concentration camps were run by men who could disguise their violent nature simply because they wore a uniform. The flogging of inmates was common -25 strokes was common practice - and the amenities were very basic and sparse. At Buchenwald, 480 men had one water tap between them which could only be used for 15 minutes on getting up. Any abuse of this rule would lead to 25 lashes. Any arrested Jew would get 60 lashes - a personal order from Hitler. Soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes etc were unheard of in camps such as Buchenwald (which held 8000 prisoners) and Dachau. Food and drink were minimal and the Jews had half the rations of other prisoners

Who would get arrested?

The list was intentionally expansive. Anybody considered to be a political threat was arrested;

those who made jokes about the Nazi Party were also arrested (jokes about Hitler were punished with death); the "work shy" were also arrested (this fitted in exactly with Hitler's plan to reduce unemployment as an unemployed person would be offered work at a Labour Exchange and if they refused it as too menial for them, they would be arrested as work shy. As no-one in concentration camps counted as unemployed, the figures for unemployment had to come down; "Bibelforscher's" were also arrested (these were people who would only seek guidance from the Bible and rejected all Nazi ideas and they also refused to do military service); homosexuals were also arrested and the SS used this as a common tactic to discredit someone. habitual criminals were also arrested.

In 1936, the Gestapo Law meant that the activities of the Gestapo were free from any review by courts of law. This law effectively meant that the Gestapo became a law unto themselves. This non-uniformed branch of the SS became justifiably feared just as the visible presence of the black uniformed SS men did. Himmler's view on the SS was simple. In 1943 he said:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Nazi Police State - History Learning Site

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The Nazi Police State was to ensure that everybody did as they were told - or paid the price. The Nazi Police were controlled by Heinrich Himmler and his feared secret police - the Gestapo - did as it pleased in Nazi Germany. Children's loyalty could be developed with a policy of indoctrination viaeducation and ...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Citation: C N Trueman "Youth Opposition in Nazi Germany"
historylearningsite.co.uk. The History Learning Site, . .

Youth protest movements did exist in Nazi Germany. The Nazi propagandists of the time would have had the world believe that the youth population of Nazi Germany was fully behind Hitler. It is true that many did join the Hitler Youth movement but in 1936 membership was made compulsory and all other youth movements were banned so there was no alternative. However, there were some youths who were ideologically against the regime and who were brave enough to make a stand.

In 1937 one such protest movement was started - the Edelweiss Pirates (Eidelweisspiraten). The movement started in the Rhineland and then spread out. Members were mainly working class male youths. They would gather together and act in a manner that they would know would anger the local Nazi leaders. Whereas the Nazi Party required Hitler Youth members to wear a uniform that was semi-military, Edelweiss members wore more bohemian clothing, knowing that it would anger the powers-that-be. They also sang songs that the Nazis had banned and played music that was also banned, such as jazz and blues tunes. They created areas within a town or city where members of the Hitler Youth were not tolerated. At no stage were they ever a danger to the Nazi regime and for years they were seen as nothing more than a youthful irritant - youths going through that phase in their lives where rebellion (as they perceived it) was the order of the day.

Whereas the Edelwiess Pirates were mainly seen as coming from working class backgrounds, youths from more upper class backgrounds formed 'swing groups'. They too engaged in what would have been perceived as non-Germanic activities, which once again involved the ways they dressed and the music they listened to.

However, the regime's stance changed during World War Two where it required explicit obedience to the state. This change from irritant to threat is best seen in a series of letters found after the war had ended.

In a letter from Heinrich Himmler to Reinhard Heydrich (January 1942) the head of the SS wrote that a half-measured approach to the 'swing groups' was unacceptable and that members of any such groups had to be dealt with accordingly. Himmler told Heydrich that for members of the 'swing groups' labour and work camps were inappropriate. They had to be sent to concentration camps for between "2 to 3 years". Himmler did not differentiate between male youths and "worthless girls".

"There the youth should first be given thrashings and then put through the severest drill and set to work. It must be made clear that they will never be allowed to go back to their studies. We must investigate how much encouragement they have had from their parents. If they have encouraged them, then they should also be put into a concentration camp and (have) their property confiscated." ('Hitler's Germany' by Jane Jenkins)

Himmler also advised Heydrich that he should intervene "brutally" to stop any further spread of the 'swing groups'.

In July 1943, Nazi Party leaders in Dusseldorf contacted the Gestapo with their views on a local Edelweiss group. The letter stated that the "gang" was "throwing its weight around" and that the "riff-raff" represented a "danger to other young people". It claimed that this particular city group had an age range from 12 to 17 and that members of the army associated with them when they were on leave. The Dusseldorf city leaders also believed that the local Edelweiss group was responsible for anti-Hitler and anti-war graffiti in the city's pedestrian subways. However, it is clearly stated that these were only suspicions.

One of the most famous youth movements that campaigned against Hitler was the White Rose movement founded by Hans and Sophie Scholl. Members of this movement openly campaigned against Hitler and the continuation of World War Two, which they believed was lost as early as 1942.

"Why do the German people behave so apathetically in face of all these dreadful and inhuman crimes? It is high time we uprooted the 'Brown Horde'. We shall only do this by cooperation between many convinced and bold men who are agreed on how to achieve their aims." Leaflet written by Hans Scholl.

Scholl encouraged members of the White Rose movement to engage in sabotage.

In January 1942, Hans Scholl produced a leaflet entitled "A call to all Germans". It stated:

"The war is approaching its inevitable end. With mathematical certainty, Hitler is leading the German nation to disaster. Now is the time for those Germans to act who want to avoid being lumped with the Nazis barbarians by the outside world."

It was extremely dangerous to air such views in public but the Scholl's ensured that their beliefs were put into print and made public. Such was the all-embracing nature of a police state that it was only a matter of time before they were caught. Tried before the 'People's Court', they were put on trial for treason, inevitably found guilty and executed.

December 2011

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Youth Opposition in Nazi Germany - History Learning Site

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Youth protest movements did exist in Nazi Germany. The Nazi propagandists of the time would have had the world believe that the youth population of Nazi Germany was fully behind Hitler. It is true that many did join the Hitler Youth movement but in 1936 membership was made compulsory and all other youth movements were ...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
GCSE History: Youth Opposition in Nazi Germany

# data[].attributes.body
Moving onto a darker group to discuss, the Gestapo Police Force disagreed with the Youth groups that fought against Hitler´s ways. The force mostly did their arrests in a form of terrorist attacks, as well as cruel demented ways to catch those participating in a Youth group. The Gestapo Force is known for its control over Germany, which was influenced by its own ´Reign of Terror´. The man behind the force was not Hitler himself, but instead, a man named Hermann Göring. The group was created in 1933 and assisted in fighting against known Youth groups like the White Rose organization, and the Edelweiss Pirates.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
The White Rose of Resistance (Symbol for the White Rose organization)

# data[].attributes.body
The Edelweiss Pirates was a organization that had a interesting way of spreading a message. The members of the group would pitch tents within the forest to sing encouraging songs, protest about Hitler's cruelty, and some would even fight against Hitler Youth patrols. The pact was notable for its accepting mannerisms as members were of all ages, and of all genders. The group started with Hans and Sophie Scholl, who also started the famous ´White Rose´ foundation. Most of the pirates tended to be around 14-17 years old, but some were even younger than intended. Nearing the end of the organization, Heinrich Himmler, who was a Nazi Party leader, had killed thirteen of the pirates in demand of shutting it down. They were hung publicly at Cologne.

# data[].attributes.body
The most famous youth group possibly known to man is The White Rose organization. This group was one of the first to spread at a rapid rate due to its influence in schools and neighborhoods. The group consisted of young teens and its primary goal was to end injustice and genocide. Its famous leaders were siblings Hans and Sophie Scholl, but others who were a part of the group were their fellow students like Alexander Schmorell, Willi Graf, and Christoph Probst. Unfortunately, the group came to an end when they got betrayed by their school janitor, who witnessed their leaflets that encouraged others to join their organization. They had been quickly reported to the National Socialist State Police, and the members were either put in camps or even executed.

# data[].attributes.body
Not many of those are aware of the Youth Opposition that occurred in Germany during WW2. The Youth Opposition is an organization that many thought was in support of Hitler, and though there was a Hitler Youth group that confided in the leader himself, the group was quickly shut down in 1936. In secret, there were many small organizations that were against Hitler's regime, these groups are known to make up the Youth Opposition.