1. HITLER AND THE YOUNG

2. Why focus on the young
Hitler’s third Reich was going to last for 1000 years. Clearly the next generation were vital.
Children are easier to indoctrinate than adults.
Ideas formed in childhood last for life

3. THE BIG QUESTIONS
What did the Nazis do to try and indoctrinate young people?
Was life better or worse for young people under the Nazis?
Did the Nazis succeed in indoctrinating the young?

10. Took over existing youth clubs in 1933, took over sports clubs in 1936 and became compulsory in Membership grew from 3.5 million in 1935 to 7.7 million in Almost everyone.

11. For boys 6 – 10 – Pimpfen – little fellows
DJ (German Young People).
Hitler Youth
Labour Corps
Army

12. What did it do for boys?
Hitler Youth – sports, parades, singing military training, camping, uniform. Tough exercise. Win a Hitler Youth Knife
Education – More German literature and history promoting German glory. Science. Sport. Maths uses military examples. No RS or free thought or foreign languages. Jewish children excluded.

13. For girls JM League of Young Girls - 10-14
BMD (League of German Maidens) 14 – 18
18 + Faith and Beauty Club
19 Marriage and lots of children. No career.

14. What did it do for girls JMB – cooking sport parades and crafts
Education – more home economics less academic study. Preparation for homemaker and mother. Simple dress – no make up. Biology becomes eugenics. Maths using cooking examples

15. Was life good for children
Most children enjoyed the sport and social bit of the Hitler Youth. Almost everyone joined even before it was compulsory
But – there was bullying of the weak
It was military training which led into WW2
All other things – scouts church groups etc were closed
Some hated it
Jews were banned and racial hatred encouraged
Much of the education was brainwashing
Private and religious schools were closed

16. Were German children convinced?
Yes
Almost everyone joined even before it was compulsory
12 SS Panzer Hitler Jugend division – comprised of 16/17 year olds fought bravely in Normandy and committed atrocities.
Children as young as eleven fought bravely against the Russians.
German soldiers (ex Hitler Youth) fought well in WW2

21. Was anyone not convinced?
The Eidelweiss Pirates and the Swingers listened to jazz music and fought the Hitler Youth.
There was some resistance and non cooperation.
The White Rose tried to get Germany to leave the War.
Many were bullied into joining by threats and peer pressure
Once Hitler had gone the Hitler Youth disappeared