The army leaders had reluctantly supported Hitler during the early years of the war when German armies had, for the most part, been successful. However, defeats, especially on the eastern front, brought opposition from within the army, led by General Ludwig Beck. Source A, from a GCSE History textbook I know that he who will act will go down in History as a traitor but he who can and does not will be a traitor to his conscience. If I did not act to stop this senseless killing, I should never be able to face the widows and orphans of the war. Source B, Stauffenberg in a letter, just before the July Plot. Hitler had only contempt for truth and right. In place of truth he put propaganda; in place of right he put violence. Propaganda and the Gestapo were his means of staying in power. In place of this the new Reich Government will establish a state in accordance with Christian traditions of the Western World. Based on the principles of civic duty, loyalty, service, and achievement for the common good, as well as respect for the individual and the natural rights of human beings. Source C, a script of a radio broadcast the plotters intended to make after Hitler’s death. Claus von Stauffenberg was born an aristocrat and had distinguished himself in the early years of the Second World War. However, he also witnessed the defeats on the Russian front where he had been badly wounded, losing his left eye, right arm, and two fingers on his left hand. He was appalled by the brutality of the SS especially the mass murder of the Jews. Source D, from a GCSE textbook. Some senior figures in Germany's military believed that Hitler's leadership was dooming Germany to defeat. They believed that the Allies would be open to negotiation with regards to a conditional surrender once Hitler had been killed. Source E, an extract from www.historylearningsite.co.uk

Von Stauffenberg, Beck and some of the other leading plotters were quickly executed. Hitler had his revenge – nearly 5000 of his opponents were killed by shooting, hanging, garrotting, or torture. Source G, from a GCSE History textbook Source F, The conference room after the explosion. I will crush and destroy the criminals who have dared to oppose me. I’ll put their wives and children in concentration camps and show them no mercy. These traitors deserve death and this is what they shall have. They will be exterminated, once and for all. Source H, Hitler speaking after the failed attempt on his life. Anybody who was implicated in the plot faced arrest, torture and execution. Many had to stand trial before Roland Freisler, the Nazi judge who showed no mercy to anyone. Source I, an extract from www.historylearningsite.co.uk