Opposition to the Nazis

1. Opposition to the Nazis Lesson starter: Do you agree with the above statement? Write down your ideas. ‘It was easier to just go along with the Nazis – there was no point trying to fight them’

3. We are learning to… • Identifythe ways in which ordinary Germans opposed the Nazis • Examine the reasons why more Germans didn’t oppose the Nazis • Analyse the extent to which the churches cooperated with the Nazis

4. I can… • Complete an N5 question using my learned knowledge from this section

5. Vocabulary Resistance/ Opposition A person or group fighting against forced laws or rule

6. How could a single person or small group resist the Nazis? • THINK about your ideas and write them down (2minutes) • PAIR with a partner and discuss your answers (2 minutes) • SHARE answers with the rest of the class

7. On one hand… • Many people claimed they didn’t know the extent of the Nazis regime • Others were too scared to resist due to the fear of the police state • There were also some people who liked living under a Nazi government…

9. Some Positives of Nazi Rule • Due to forcing ‘undesirables’ out of jobs, unemployment fell dramatically (0% by 1939) • The German economy seemed to be doing very well under the Nazis, a far cry from the 1920s • Hitler went against the Treaty of Versailles: The army was expanded and conscription reintroduced, so people felt safer • Free Holiday camps and other rewards were introduced in the ‘strength through joy’ programme • Large scale building projects took place, such as the autobahnor motorway

10. On the other hand… • There were many groups who tried to oppose the Nazis; • Edelweiss Pirates • White Rose • Swing Kids (mainly young people, mainly small scale resistance)

11. Edelweiss Pirates • Age 14-18 • Formed gangs as they refused to join Hitler Youth • Attacked Hitler Youth camps • Sheltered army deserters and concentration camp prisoners

12. The White Rose • Formed by Students at the University of Munich • Distributed leaflets speaking out against the Nazi regime • Anti-Nazi graffiti • They believed the young people could overthrow Hitler • Leaders: Hans and Sophie Scholl

13. The Swing Kids • Mainly male teenagers • Listened to ‘un-German’ swing music, blues or jazz • They also wore the latest American or British fashions they accepted Jewish children into their groups

14. Individual resistance The Frank Family

15. Oskar Schindler

16. Sobibor concentration camp

17. Warsaw Ghetto Uprising

18. The Churches during Nazi Rule Starter: Give an example of one resistance group in Nazi Germany and explain how they resisted them.

19. Timed Describe Question Describe the events of Kristallnacht in 1938. 4 marks 7 minutes

20. We are learning to… • Identifythe ways in which ordinary Germans opposed the Nazis • Examine the reasons why more Germans didn’t oppose the Nazis • Analyse the extent to which the churches cooperated with the Nazis

21. Background… • In the 1930s nearly all Germans were religious (33% Catholic, 66% Christian) • Hitler wasn’t a great fan of religion but knew he would face major problems if he tried to control religion • Many people have criticised the churches for cooperating with the Nazis…

22. German Christian Church (Protestant church) • The Nazi party joined all the protestant churches together in the new German Christian Church • A Reich Bishop was appointed by the Nazis • Mein Kampf was their bible • The Swastika replaced the cross • In 1933 all Christian youth organisations were merged into the Hitler Youth

23. Protestant Church • Any pastors or clergy who spoke out against the Nazis were arrested and sent to camps • Martin Niemöller – a prominent critic of the Nazis policies – he was difficult to silence as he had been a German war hero during WW1 • ‘First they came for the Jews’

24. The Catholic Church • On 8 July 1933 The Catholic Church and Hitler signed an agreement or concordat that neither side would criticise the other • Issues over things like ‘euthanasia’ • Eventually the Nazis broke their side of the agreement • Catholic press was censored, Catholic schools shut down By 1937 the Pope issued a message that spoke out against Hitler calling him a ‘mad prophet’ that was leading Germany to disaster Pope Pius XII

25. Jehovah’s Witnesses • Persecuted by The Nazi regime • They were Pacifists – would not join the army • They also refused to idolise Hitler • 5000 died in camps

26. Task: N5 How Fully Question Source A is from a history textbook, Nazi Rule 1933-45 The Nazis were able to stay in power for twelve years due to a combination of factors. They created a police state where the SS, Gestapo and informers created an atmosphere of fear and terror. They controlled the churches to the extent that many clergy were silenced into cooperation. Most opposition groups like the White Rose were small scale and youth led. Many historians have studied whether people liked living in Nazi Germany or whether people were terrified into cooperation. It is open to interpretation. • Assess how fully Source A describes the reasons for the Nazis staying in power in Germany after 1933. 6marks (You should use source A and your own knowledge)