Impact of War on Opposition to the Nazis (1939-1945)

Overview

• Focus on the impact of the war years on opposition to the Nazis.
• Importance of understanding the different forms of opposition from passive to active.
• Opposition increased as the Nazis started losing the war, particularly post-Stalingrad.
• Despite this increase, the opposition remained on a small scale.

Types of Opposition

Passive Opposition

• Otto and Anneliese Hampel: Distributed over 200 anti-Nazi postcards in Berlin with anti-Nazi messages and defaced images of Hitler.
  • Many postcards were turned over to the Gestapo by frightened citizens.
  • The Hampels were captured after two years and executed in 1943.

More Active Opposition

• White Rose Group: Led by Hans and Sophie Scholl.
  • University students who distributed anti-Nazi leaflets.
  • Published five series of leaflets; caught during the distribution of the sixth post-Stalingrad and executed.

Opposition from Religious Figures

• Cardinal Galen: Criticized Gestapo terror and murder; was placed under house arrest during the war.
• Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Protestant priest and key resistance figure.
  • Joined military intelligence to secretly aid resistance movements.
  • Organized escapes for Jews but was eventually caught and executed.

Military Opposition

• Klaus von Stauffenberg: High-ranking officer who led Operation Valkyrie - an attempt to assassinate Hitler.
  • The plan involved detonating a bomb at the Wolf's Lair meeting with Hitler.
  • The attempt failed due to the bomb's placement, and Stauffenberg was executed along with his conspirators.

Analysis of Opposition

Widespread Nature

• Passive opposition potentially increased during the war, forms included telling Hitler jokes and non-compliance.
• Active opposition remained minimal with few significant examples.

Significance of Threat

• More significant than pre-war opposition due to increased number and severity of attempts.
• Operation Valkyrie demonstrates the serious nature of some opposition activities.

Reasons for Limited Opposition

• Dominated by fear of repercussions and Gestapo efficiency in capturing dissenters.
• Execution of opposition figures deterred widespread active opposition.