Education Under the Nazis

Youth in Nazi Germany

The Nazis had clear aims for young boys and girls. Boys were to be the future soldiers of the Reich. Girls were to be the future mothers.

Aims

Produce a new German citizen: obedient, physically fit, dedicated to the Führer, upholding the Volksgemeinshcaft. Girls to bear children, boys to fight.
Indoctrinate children with Nazi ideals.

Education

Nazis were anti-intellectual. More emphasis was placed on physical fitness and Nazi indoctrination.
By 1936 there was two hours PE a day. From 1935 all text books had to be approved.
Co-educational schools were discouraged. Girls’ education focused more on languages and ‘home crafts’ as well as history, biology and fitness training.
NAPOLAs: special leadership schools established 1933 for boys aged 10-18 to prepare future leaders.

Teachers

By 1936 over 30% of teachers were NSDP members. Teachers were pressured to join the National Socialist Teachers’ League (NSLB). 97% had joined by 1937.
November 1935: all university teachers signed a declaration supporting Hitler and the Nazi regime as well as having to join the Nazi Lecturers’ Association.

Youth groups

Girls: 10-14 Young Girls (JM); 14-18 League of German Girls (BDM); 18-21 Faith and Beauty (GS).
Boys: 6-10 Pimpfen (Nazi Cubs); 10-14 Young German Boys (DJ); 14-18 Hitler Youth (HJ).
As well as sport, camping and other activities, there was military training. As the 1930s wore on, Nazi youth groups focused more on military preparation.
In 1936 all youth organisations, other than Nazi ones, were abolished and membership of Nazi youth organisations became compulsory.

Opposition youth groups

There were two key opposition groups to the Hitler Youth.
The Edelweiss Pirates:
- Activities included camping, hiking, music and singing.
- Beginning in 1934, there were 2,000 by 1939.
- At first Edelweiss Pirates’ groups were warned, then raided or arrested. After World War Two began action against them was stepped up.
The Swing Youth:
- Upper middle class, anti-politics (including Nazism).
They listened to banned music such as jazz and swing.

Historical assessment

Wilt (1994): As many as 95% of German youth supported Hitler.
Fischer (1995): An entire generation was not only miseducated, but misused.
Housden (1997): For all its attractions, support for Hitler amongst German youth was ‘less than total.’
Peukert (1987):
There was a growing crisis in the Hitler Youth by the late 1930s and during the war it led to ‘a massive opposition movement’ of German youth.

1Political & Governmental Change, 1918-1989

1.1Creation & Collapse of Weimar, 1918-1932

1.1.1Creation of a Republic

1.1.2Strengths & Weaknesses of Weimar Constitution

1.1.3Overcoming Challenges to the Constitution

1.1.4The Great Depression

1.1.5The Collapse of Democracy

1.1.6The Collapse of Democracy 2

1.1.7Hitler Becomes Chancellor

1.2Nazi Dictatorship, 1933-1945

1.2.1Establishing a Dictatorship

1.2.2Consolidating Power

1.2.3Nature of Government

1.2.4Government in Wartime

1.2.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Political & Governmental Change

1.3Return to Democratic Government, 1945-1989

1.3.1Creation of the FRG, 1945-1949

1.3.2Consolidation Under Adenauer

1.3.3Consolidation Under Erhard

1.3.4Maintaining Stability Under Brandt

1.3.5Maintaining Stability Under Schmidt

1.3.6Maintaining Stability Under Kohl

1.3.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Return to Democratic Government

2Opposition, Control & Consent 1918-1989

2.1Opposition to Government, 1918-1989

2.1.1Impact of Versailles

2.1.2Political Extremism & Crises, 1918-1932

2.1.3Opposition & Dissent in Nazi Germany, 1933-1945

2.1.4Political Dissent from the Left, 1949-1989

2.1.5Political Dissent from the Right, 1949-1989

2.1.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Opposition to Government 1918-89

2.2Controlling the People, 1918-1989

2.2.1Attempts to Control Extremism

2.2.2Repression, 1933-1945

2.2.3Censorship & Propaganda, 1933-1945

2.2.4De-Nazification Policies of Western Allies, 1945

2.2.5Constitutional & Legal Response to Extremism, 1949

2.3Popular Support, 1918-1989

2.3.1The Nature of Support for the Weimar Government

2.3.2Support for the Nazi Regime

2.3.3The Nature of Support for Democracy, 1945-1989

2.3.4Top Grade AO2/3 - Controlling the People

3Economic Developments & Policies, 1918-1989

3.1Reacting to Economic Challenges, 1918-1932

3.1.1Economic Crises & Government Response, 1918-1923

3.1.2Economic Loans, 1924-1928

3.1.3Policies for Recovery, 1924-1929

3.1.4The Great Depression

3.1.5Change in Living Standards

3.1.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Reacting to Economic Challenges

3.2Controlling the Economy, 1933-1945

3.2.1Attempting Economic Recovery

3.2.2Creating a Command Economy

3.2.3Change in Living Standards

3.2.4Impact of War

3.2.5Impact of War 2

3.2.6Top Grade AO2/3 - Controlling the Economy

3.3Creating the Social Market Economy, 1945-1989

3.3.1Economic Recovery, 1945-1955

3.3.2The Economic Miracle, 1955-1966

3.3.3Surviving the Recession, 1960-1969

3.3.4The Oil Crisis

3.3.5Integration into the European Economy

3.3.6Change in Living Standards

3.3.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Creating Social Market Economy

4Aspects of Life, 1918-1989

4.1Attitudes Towards Women, 1918-1989

4.1.1Role & Status of Women in the Weimar Republic

4.1.2Impact of Kinder, Küche, Kirche

4.1.3Impact of WW2 on Women

4.1.4Role & Status of Women in the FRG

4.1.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Attitudes Towards Women

4.2Education & Cultural Developments, 1918-1989

4.2.1Education in Weimar

4.2.2Cultural Experimentation in Weimar

4.2.3Education Under the Nazis

4.2.4Nazi Culture

4.2.5Education in the FRG

4.2.6Generational Conflict

4.2.7Top Grade AO2/3 - Education & Cultural Development

4.3Position of Ethnic Minorities, 19189-1989

4.3.1Ethnic Minorities in the Weimar Republic

4.3.2Nazi Racial Policies, 1933-1939

4.3.3Nazi Racial Policies During the War

4.3.4Ethnic Minorities in the FRG

4.3.5Top Grade AO2/3 - Position of Ethnic Minorities

5Historical Interpretations

5.1Influence of German History

5.1.1Influence of German History

5.2Hitler & Foreign Policy

5.2.1Hitler & Foreign Policy

5.3Contribution of Other Nations to WW2

5.3.1Weak Nations

5.3.2Appeasement

5.3.3The Rise of Fascism

5.4Reasons for Invading Poland

5.4.1Reasons for Invading Poland

5.4.2Top Grade AO2/3 - Historical Interpretation

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