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Control of Youth in Nazi Germany

Apr 10, 2025

Lecture Notes: Control of Young People in Nazi Germany

Context and Importance

  • Young people were extremely important to the Nazi Party.
  • Control was exerted mainly through education and youth organizations.

Education

Bernard Rust

  • Minister for Education during Nazi Germany.
  • Emphasized that the main function of education was to create Nazis.

Methods of Educational Control

  1. Control of Teachers

    • Only Nazi-compliant teachers were allowed to teach.
    • Jewish teachers and those opposing Nazi views were removed.
    • Nazi Teachers League was established; by 1936, 97% of teachers were members.

  2. Control of Schools

    • Special Nazi schools (Napolas and Adolf Hitler Schools) were established to prepare military and party leaders.
    • These schools had limited success, with low attendance by 1939.

  3. Control of Curriculum

    • Subjects were heavily Nazi-influenced:
      • History: Focused on German superiority and Aryan race.
      • Geography: Included Nazi ideas like 'Lebensraum' (living space).
      • Biology: Taught racial theories, particularly against non-Aryans.
      • Mathematics: Used problems to instill Nazi ideology.

Youth Organizations

Hitler Youth

  • Established as the main youth organization.
  • Initially voluntary, became compulsory by 1936.
  • By 1939, it was the sole organization for sports and activities.

Activities and Indoctrination

  • Activities were designed to instill Nazi ideology and were different for boys and girls.

Boys

  • Emphasis on military preparation, physical strength.
  • Activities included camps, marching, and firing guns.
  • Participation in rallies and camps was encouraged.

Girls

  • Focus on physical fitness and preparation for motherhood.
  • Activities included gymnastics and propaganda dissemination.

Outcomes and Critiques

  • Most young people participated due to the structured activities, some found it enjoyable.
  • There was still resistance and cynicism among some youth.
  • Significant changes occurred in the lives of young people due to these regimes in the 1930s.

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