Nazis and Young People
Lesson starter:
Why would the Nazis think that young
people were key in maintaining their
power?
We are learning to…
• Explain the
changes in
Education made
by the Nazis
• Identify the
opposing views on
the Youth
Movements
I can…
• Complete a table analysing the
popularity of the Youth Movements
• Complete a N5 HW question on the
changes in education
• Young people were very
important to the Nazis
• If they could get them
on their side at a young
age, they would
hopefully support the
Nazis as adults
• Hitler wanted to
indoctrinate young
people
• This meant the next
generation of adults
would be obedient Nazi
followers
It doesn’t matter
what you think,
your children are
mine already
Education
• School curriculum and textbooks rewritten by
the Nazis
• All schoolbooks had to be approved by the Nazi
authorities
• Biology taught the difference between races
(eugenics)
• Maths became questions about bombs and
ammunition
• Jews were humiliated by teachers until they
were eventually put into Jewish schools
• Teachers had to join the National Socialist
League of Teachers – if they didn’t they were
sacked
• PE replaced RE – more useful for future war
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/indoctr
ination-in-nazi-germany/3282.html
• "A bomber aircraft on take-off carries 12
dozen bombs, each weighing 10 kilos.
The aircraft takes off for Warsaw the
international centre for Jews. It bombs
the town. On take-off with all bombs on
board and a fuel tank containing 100
kilos of fuel, the aircraft weighed about 8
tons. When it returns from the crusade,
there are still 230 kilos left. What is the
weight of the aircraft when empty ?"
Maths problem in a textbook during the Nazi period.
• "To keep a mentally ill person costs
approximately 4 marks a day. There are
300,000 mentally ill people in care. How
much do these people cost to keep in
total? How many marriage loans of
1000 marks could be granted with this
money?"
Maths problem in a textbook during the Nazi period.
The Youth
Organisations
Hitler Youth (Boys)
• Hitler Jugend (HJ)
• Age 14 – 18 (also organisations for younger
boys – Little Fellows)
• Boys wore uniform
• harsh punishments for ‘weaklings’
• They did lots of outdoor activities and sports
• Some activities very army-like – using a
bayonet, trench digging
• Children taught anti-Jewish messages
• Tests – reward a dagger marked ‘Blood and
Honour’
• Encouraged to inform on parents and friends
League of German Maidens (girls)
•
•
•
•
•
•
Bund Deutscher Madel (BDM)
Ages 14 – 21
Girls kept totally separate from boys
Did similar activities – sports, singing etc
Also trained to do first aid
Taught how to be a good wife – cook, clean, sew
etc
• Taught about the ‘Mother’s Cross’ for having up
to 8 children (bronze, silver and gold)
• Girls not allowed to cut hair or wear makeup –
birth control forbidden and frowned upon
Hitler Youth – Key Points
• By early 1936, 6 million children had
signed up voluntarily – why?
• The Youth organisations became
compulsory from 1936
• Other youth organisations were banned
• Parents threatened with children being
removed from them and sent to
orphanages if they didn’t go
Video Clips – take notes to use for
next task
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/girlsand-boys-in-nazi-germany/5675.html
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/hitleryouth/3283.html
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/hitleryouth-indoctrination-of-the-young/3281.html
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/whywas-the-hitler-youth-so-important/3264.html
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/youngpeople-in-nazi-germany/5674.html
The Hitler Youth – Fun or forced?
The Hitler Youth was popular
(with young people and adults)
The Hitler Youth was not
popular
(with young people and adults)
Use class notes, the video clips and page 75-79 of the
textbook to add as many pros/ cons of the Youth
movements into the table.
Extension 1: Redesigning the
curriculum
• Imagine you are the Minister for
Education in Nazi Germany
• Write a list of all the subjects taught in
St Andrew’s
• Explain how you would change the
material taught in each to reflect the
Nazi agenda
Extension 2
• Use one jotter page to create a poster for the
Hitler Youth (boys) and the opposite page for
the League of German maidens
• Your posters should include the types of
activities covered by each
• Use p77 of the textbook for extra information
‘Youth
serves the
Führer’
N5 Question
• Explain the significance of the Nazi
changes to the education system after
1933.
5 marks
• You must explain why the Nazis
changed what they did i.e.
The Nazis replaced RE with more PE as this would
produce a fitter next generation for war and the
children wouldn’t gain any anti-Nazi views through RE.