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Hitler wanted to create a “Thousand-Year Reich”, in which the Nazis would rule forever. He believed the way to achieve this was to win the support of the young people of Germany. He therefore began a nationwide programme of INDOCTRINATING young people, getting them to believe in the key Nazi ideas. • This was done by controlling the education system.
If you had been a German student in the Nazi period your teacher would be acting under strict instructions. They had to belong to the Nazi organisation of the German Teachers’ League, and had to make sure that they taught Nazi ideas – or they were dismissed. • The teaching of school subjects was controlled so that the young were “indoctrinated” with Nazi ideals.
An example of a school textbook A bomber aircraft on take-off carries twelve dozen bombs, each weighing ten kilos. The aircraft takes off for Warsaw, international centre of Jews. It bombs the town. On take-off with all the bombs on board and a fuel tank containing 1000 kilos of fuel, the aircraft weighed about eight tons. When it returns from the crusade, there are still 230 kilos of fuel left. What is the weight of the aircraft when empty?
A typical timetable from a German girls school in 1935 – how does this compare to your daily timetable?
Healthy Biology Lots of PE – 5 hours a week Boxing made compulsory for boys Girls studied home craft Biased Nazi textbooks Race Studies introduced Students gave staff Nazi salute Lessons History textbooks glorified the military and German heroes Nazi Education Policies Schools Classroom Swastika Flags Adolf Hitler Schools Order Castles to train future Nazi leaders Photos of Hitler Teachers Nazi posters Teachers went on a 1-month Nazi training course All teachers had to join the Nazi Teachers League and university lecturers had to join the Nazi Lectures Association Non-Nazi teachers and Jewish teachers were removed By 1939 all religious schools were abolished
The Nazi Party believed that: ‘Those who have youth on their side control the future’ Hitler Youth flag They therefore encouraged young Germans to join Nazi Youth organisations. Attendance soon became compulsory…
Hitler Youth was formed in 1928 and by 1932 108,000 youths had joined it
Hitler Youth facts You experience outdoor activities such as camping and hiking You had to swear an oath of allegiance to Hitler The Hitler Youth act was passed in 1936 and this stated that all youths had to belong to HJ. This became compulsory in 1939 The aim for Girls was to prepare them for motherhood Hitler Youth Facts By 1939 there were 7.3 million members Emphasis was placed on Physical fitness, group activities and obedience to the party The aim of the HJ was to prepare boys for military service and to be strong future leaders of Germany
Hitler in the background Who is the poster aimed at? What does the poster tell you about attitudes to youth? Young HJ boy –Aryan in appearance Military smart uniform Caption in bold
Activities • Copy these key terms: • Propaganda: information that tries to make you think in a certain way • Indoctrination: Process of changing someone’s views without them even realising • Why did the Nazis hold such massive rallies? • What does censorship mean? • How did the Nazis restrict information? • Why did the Nazis focus their indoctrination and propaganda on the German youth? • Why is it difficult to know if Nazi propaganda and indoctrination was a success? • What are the general messages of Nazi propaganda? • Was propaganda more effective than the police state for the Nazis keeping control in Germany? • EXTENSION: • ‘The Nazis failed in their attempts to win the hearts and minds of the German people’. Explain whether you agree or disagree with this statement, justifying your opinions using evidence.
