Education

Nazi Youth Policy - Education

Hitler and the Nazis implemented changes in schools and the curriculum to win the support or to control the German youth.

Nazi teaching

As well as the Hitler Youth, the Nazis wanted to control children through education.
- To make sure that children were indoctrinated (taught to accept) into the Nazi ideology (set of beliefs), all teachers were forced to join the Nazi Teachers’ Association.

The Nazi curriculum

The curriculum was tailored (adapted) to help shape children as Nazis.
- By 1935, all textbooks had to be approved by the Nazis to make sure they fit the Nazi message.
Physical Education became a priority to make sure children were fit and healthy.
History was used to teach children about the rise of the Nazis.

Racism in the curriculum

Race Studies was used to teach children about ‘eugenics’.
- This meant that Aryans was a superior race and should grow, whereas other inferior races should stop reproducing.
The aim was to produce a ‘perfect’ human race.

Success of youth policy

It’s difficult to know the exact success of these policies.
In general, most children were enthusiastic supporters of the Nazi regime.
- Some of the activities in the Hitler Youth were fun and enjoyable.
- The emphasis on physical education did mean that children were healthy.
- The Nazis succeeded in indoctrinating (teaching people to accept) ideas, such as anti-Semitism (strong dislike of Jews).

Can children be loyal?

But how can we establish genuine loyalty and support from children?
While 90% of children were part of the Hitler Youth by 1939, this meant that 10% resisted the Nazis.
- These groups included the Edelweiss Pirates and Swing Youth.
Children resented (felt bitter about) the focus on military drills.
Parents did not like the amount of time children spent with the Hitler Youth.

1Dictatorship

1.1Hitler & The Nazi Party in 1933

1.1.1The Origins of the Nazi Party

1.1.2Hitler & The Growth of the Party

1.1.3The 1932 Election

1.2Establishing Dictatorship, 1933-1934

1.2.1Establishing Dictatorship

1.2.2Achieving Total Power, July 1933 - August 1934

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Dictatorship

1.2.4Grade 9 - Dictatorship

2Control & Opposition

2.1The Machinery of Terror

2.1.1Police State & Legal System

2.1.2The Gestapo & SS

2.1.3Concentration Camps

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Control & Opposition

2.2Nazi Propaganda

2.2.1The Effectiveness of Nazi Propaganda

2.3Opposition to Nazi Rule

2.3.1The Left

2.3.2Church Leaders

2.3.3Youth Groups

2.3.4Support for Nazi Rule

2.3.5End of Topic Test - Propaganda & Opposition

2.3.6Grade 9 - Propaganda & Opposition

3Changing Lives, 1933-1939

3.1Work & Home

3.1.1Work

3.1.2Home

3.2The Lives of Young People

3.2.1Education

3.2.2Youth Movements

3.3Nazi Racial Policy

3.3.1Racial Policy

3.3.2Persecution of the Jews

3.3.3End of Topic Test 0 Changing Lives

3.3.4Grade 9 - Changing Lives

4Germany in War

4.1The Impact of War

4.1.1Impact of the War Economy on the People

4.1.2Impact of Total War on the People

4.2Growing Opposition from the German People

4.2.1Opposition from the People

4.2.2Opposition from the Army

4.2.3End of Topic Test - Germany in War

4.2.4Grade 9 - Germany in War

5Occupation

5.1Nazi Rule in Eastern and Western Europe

5.1.1The Start of World War 2

5.1.2Western Europe

5.1.3Eastern Europe

5.1.4End of Topic Test - Occupation

5.2The Final Solution

5.2.1Ghettos & Executions

5.2.2Death Camps

5.2.3End of Topic Test - The Final Solution

5.3Responses to Nazi Rule

5.3.1Collaboration

5.3.2Accommodation

5.3.3Resistance

5.3.4End of Topic Test - Responses to Nazi Rule

5.3.5Grade 9 - Occupation

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