Workbook p. 131

1. Workbook p. 131 Hitler’s Rule in Germany

2. Study Source A. What is the purpose of source A? • The purpose of Source A is to promote the Hitler Youth Movement. (direct ans.) • This is clearly seen from the Nazi flag that one of the fair-headed (i.e. “Aryan”) youths is waving in the background, which reveals that their allegiance is to the Nazi Party. (1st evidence)

3. Study Source A. What is the purpose of source A? • Also, in order to better promote the Hitler Youth, the poster also illustrates the militaristic activities that the organisation was involved in (as seen from the use of the military drum), as well as the type of youths that were deemed suitable for membership (fair-headed Aryan boys, as seen from the poster). (inference backed by evidence)

4. Study Source A. What is the purpose of source A? • The tone of the poster is rather aggressive, as seen from the portrayal of the Nazi Youths as giants trampling on the other inferior beings on the ground. This also reinforces the military theme in this source. • As this source is a propaganda poster, its purpose is to promote the fascist ideals of the Nazi Youth and to portray them as superior beings, in order to recruit like-minded ‘Aryan’ youths into the league.

5. Study Source B: Does this source prove that the members of the Hitler Youth were brainwashed? EYA. • Questions to ask yourself: • Does this author have a hidden agenda? • If he does, then the source is not reliable (i.e. does not prove…) • Does this source corroborate with your contextual knowledge? • If it does, then it is reliable (i.e. proves…)

6. Study Source B: Does this source prove that the members of the Hitler Youth were brainwashed? EYA. • No, this source says but does not prove beyond a doubt that the members of the Hitler Youth were brainwashed. • Although it says that the Hitler Youth were unthinkingly obedient towards Nazi authority, as seen from “we were programmed to obey orders,” his comment that “we didn’t know much about Nazi ideals” seems to me to be a statement made in denial. That he contradicts his statement can be seen in his awareness that the Hitler Youth was cultivating the “soldierly virtue” of obedience, which is in line with the Nazi ideal of a militaristic state where obedience to authority is the basis for order. (Looking at the source itself to judge reliability)

7. Study Source B: Does this source prove that the members of the Hitler Youth were brainwashed? EYA. • Moreover, it is clear from Source A that this militaristic ideal and notion of Aryan racial superiority were clearly drummed into the Hitler youth, and thus clearly refutes Source B when it says that “we didn’t know much about Nazi ideals.” • Although Source C seems to support Source B as it agrees that there was unthinking obedience to Hitler as seen from “the decision of the Fuhrer (no matter what it will be) will be discussed as the correct one for Germany”, the fact that there was widespread propaganda does not necessarily mean that people could have been easily brainwashed. This is seen in Source D which shows that it was possible for people to resist propaganda messages and still hold on to what they believed was right, despite being bombarded with propaganda.

8. Study Source B: Does this source prove that the members of the Hitler Youth were brainwashed? EYA. • Finally, Source B does not prove that the members of the Hitler Youth were brainwashed as it has a hidden agenda and is thus not reliable. • As it was said by a member of the Hitler Youth in retrospect, its purpose would be to claim that he had been brainwashed by the Hitler Youth League, and thereby absolve himself of any moral responsibility for the crimes that were committed in the name of the “Fatherland.”

9. Study all sources.“Nazi control was maintained through propaganda.” How far do these sources support this view? Explain your answer. • Although sources A, B and C do support the hypothesis that Nazi control was maintained through propaganda; Sources D and E show otherwise. (Intro: Group sources) • Source A shows that the Nazis were trying to gain support from the German youth, so that they can groom these people into instruments that can spread Nazi ideals (of militarism and racial superiority) and put pressure on their peers to conform to Nazi policies.

10. Study all sources.“Nazi control was maintained through propaganda.” How far do these sources support this view? Explain your answer. • Source B clearly supports this viewpoint that it was through indoctrination via propaganda that turned these youths into unthinking robots “programmed to obey orders” and thus ensured that the Nazis controlled the minds of these young people. • Source C also shows that the rest of the population was not spared from this propaganda, as it shows that the mass media was essentially used to promote ideas that were pro-Hitler. This is seen from the fact that the “lead article” of this magazine had to support Hitler’s decision, and thereby influence its readers to lend their support to Hitler regardless of the outcome.

11. Study all sources.“Nazi control was maintained through propaganda.” How far do these sources support this view? Explain your answer. • However, Source D and E do not support this hypothesis. • Source D shows that propaganda had its limitations, and that the old lady refused to be told what to do, despite the terrorising tactics of the Stormtrooper. This is seen from her fiesty reply “I will buy butter from where I like” suggesting that she trusts her own judgement over that of the Nazi party, and would not be controlled by them. • Source E illustrates that rather than rely on propaganda solely, Nazi control was also maintained through terror tactics, as seen from the six figures who have been tied up and gagged, representing the liberties and human rights that had been locked underground as a result of Hitler’s willingness to employ terror, as represented by the military men with bayonets on their guns.

12. Study all sources.“Nazi control was maintained through propaganda.” How far do these sources support this view? Explain your answer. • In conclusion, although the sources do largely support the view that Nazi control was maintained through propaganda, it is important to note that propaganda had its limitations, and that the Nazi state also relied on terror tactics to ensure control.