Youth in Nazi GermanyYouth in Nazi Germany

Why did the Hitler youth organizations exist?

• Hitler claimed that his Reich would last for a thousand years

• For Hitler, this meant that German children must grow up as Nazis

• The boys would grow into soldiers

• The girls were to be trained to be mothers of the “master race”

Headings for your notesHeadings for your notes

• What were the different youth organisations What were the different youth organisations for boys and girls?for boys and girls?

• Why did people join these groups?Why did people join these groups?

• What was the purpose of education in Nazi What was the purpose of education in Nazi Germany?Germany?

• How were teachers treated in Nazi schools?How were teachers treated in Nazi schools?

Boys Age Activities

6-10 Pimpfen (Little Fellows). Hiking, camping, physical exercise.

10-14 Deutsche Jungvolk (German Young People)

Oath of loyalty to Hitler, trained in military discipline and music.

14-18 Hitler Jugend (Hitler Youth). More advanced military training.

Girls Age Activities

10-14 Jugenmadel (Young Maidens)

Physical exercise and health training.

14-17 Bund Deutscher Madel (League of German Maidens)

Training for motherhood

Pressures to join• HJ letter:HJ letter:The Hitler Jugend come to you today with theThe Hitler Jugend come to you today with thequestion: why are you not willing to join thequestion: why are you not willing to join theranks of the HJ?ranks of the HJ?Write your reasons on the enclosed blankWrite your reasons on the enclosed blankform.form.

• Hitler Youth Law 1936 – compulsory, banned Hitler Youth Law 1936 – compulsory, banned other youth groups.other youth groups.

Education

• “The whole purpose of Education is to create Nazis.” (The Ministry of Education).

• “German language History, Geography, Chemistry and Mathematics must concentrate on military subjects- the glorification of military service and German heroes”

EducationEducation

• Taught to be good NazisTaught to be good Nazis

• German youth to be ‘ educated in the German youth to be ‘ educated in the spirit of National Socialism’spirit of National Socialism’

• Hitler to parent ‘ You may disagree with Hitler to parent ‘ You may disagree with me but your children are mine already’.me but your children are mine already’.

• Subjects NazifiedSubjects Nazified

TeachersTeachers

• Told what to teachTold what to teach• If spoke against Nazis : sacked and forced to If spoke against Nazis : sacked and forced to

attend Nazi re-education programmes.attend Nazi re-education programmes.

Things to do• Read pages 74-76• Answer Questions 1 to 3 on page 76

Extension – imagine it is 1938, you have joined the Hitler Youth.

• How do you feel?• What sort of activities are you doing?

• OR• Write a diary of a school child attending a German school for one

day.• What subjects are you doing? What are you learning about?

SummaryCan you answer the questions from the start of the lesson?