Nazi Youth Policies and Education Assessment

Focus Task Number 1 and 2 Page 204::

1. The Young people of the Third Reich were extremely important to the Nazi agenda, Hitler envisioned that beginning with his leadership Germany would prosper and the creation of a Thousand Year Reich would occur; however, it was too late for those who were party members they were too old to lead Germany into the Thousand Year Reich; because they are bearing the burden of the humiliating past, the education and training of the Youth would lead Germany into the future; for Hitler to " make a new world". They were essential to the rule of the Nazi party because of their ability to be molded and influenced so quickly, they were were indeed going to be the future supporters of the NSDAP and the Furher so the indoctrination and support of the youth was absolutely necessary for Hitler's rule.

The methods behind the Nazi success in winning over the Youth of Germany comes much from the programs that were set up for Aryan Youth, both male and female. The male Youth in Nazi Germany belonged to various "Hitler Youth" organizations where they militarily practiced drills, camped, worked, and often attended rallies where Hitler himself would speak to them, one German boy says " there was not any doubt I was bound to Adolf Hitler until long after our defeat" (source 34) they were taught to be strong, and participated in long hikes, and sport so they would be ready for Military service if need be; the Young Women however were also indoctrinated into the party;; they went to the Young Maiden's league, which provided more excitement outside of their normal home lives, but-- made them strong and fit for childbearing. Also, they learned skills that would be "vital" to running a good German home. The youth under Hitler's rule were even influenced through their education; curriculums and facts were altered to reflect Nazi ideology, and textbooks were rewritten and screened to reflect what Hitler wanted his future to know. Knowledge was very limited at the time, they only things that the children of the Reich read, learned, spoke about were approved by Goebbels or Hitler; many people had a hand in the education system. The children learned about NSDAP values, and were encouraged to quote Hitler's "Mein Kampf"; they learned about how to properly identify enemies of the party such as Gypsys , Jews, and other undesirables using their race books, and for young women there were also classes in how to have a proper home: and for all, of course there was Sport. The aim of the Youth organization was to instill in young German's a feeling of belonging, and that YOU were going to help build a stronger Germany-- whether through having many strong, Aryan children, or going to the Military or the SA, or SS for your country's welfare.

The Youth movement in the beginning attracted young people because of the natural "Rebellious" attitude that Children and Teens have; since this new and "crazy" party had come into power, the Hitler Youth was a way to be different and rebel which appealed to many; even more influential was the 'power trip' that many seemed to achieve through the organization- the uniforms, overtly organized military drills, the hikes, and camping all seemed to appeal to the boys of Nazi Germany; this was exciting and an adventure away from their daily lives. For women the attraction of adventure was even more important; the Maiden's League was an excellent tool in providing adventure outside of the home for German Girls in the Third Reich. Both organizations 'performed' at a national level going to large scale parades with music and marching, or to rallies where the Furher indoctrinated you with a speech that seemed as if he was "looking into your eyes" ( source 34) The youth were promised jobs following their involvement in these organizations, however much of this was never fulfilled; although at the time it attracted many, if not all German youth to the organizations. The Youth of Germany were constantly being told that they were the future of the 1,000 year Reich; and for this they must be strong and ready-- the involvement in sport and the organizations were both social and paramilitary, however they created a sense of belonging for every child, and therefore involved nearly every German youth, the movements were very attractive to young people.

2.
There were however some young people who did not fall in line with the Nazi Youth organizations; the factors on class played into the role of involvement in youth heavily. The middle class teenagers, for example began with the 'Swing' movement- these German teenagers opted to reject the Nazi Organization for a western approach to life: they listened to American Jazz music, and went to parties where they sang english songs; they danced the Jitterbug, and had lenient views on Sex and Jews, the Jews were even allowed in their clubs; the Nazis did not meet this opposition without retaliation however, the German authorities were trained to identify the 'degenerates' (p204) who were often depicted wearing overtly English clothing, and being unkept. Although the Nazis had made it illegal to be a member of any other sort of organization- this did not stop the Edelweiss Pirates either, with only half of German boys, and 15% of German girls involved with Hitler Youth programming ( 1933) this worried Hitler and preventative measures were taken. The Edelweiss Pirates, the working class teenagers  were another group who decided to dodge the idea of Nazi run organization, although they were not one organized group Hitler called them all: Edelweiss Pirates, they went camping and sang songs as did the Hitler Youth, however they mocked Germany and were often held responsible for acts of violence, and graffiti; including the attack on the Gestapo in which the chief was killed the ring leaders of the Pirates were rounded up and hung publicly; the free attitude towards sex, and the opposition to the Government by the youth was the opposite of what Hitler needed to ensure his rule of the Reich, therefore drastic measures were taken. Some youth took measures to "outfox" the German Youth Programs, they did not attend the rallies, and refused to pay their dues to the organizations- this was public opposition of the NSDAP.

Was Nazi Youth Policy Successful?

Reasons Behind Success ( or lack there of) of Nazi Youth Policy:
Enthusiasm:

• Their enthusiasm for the involvement in Hitler Youth was so "mandatory" that any student who did not participate would be obvious, and would be ridiculed for being different- therefore all were involved.
• The children were so fascinated in all of the opportunities that were being offered to them that they believed in nothing but Hitler.
• Youth believed that through their devotion to the cause of persecuting those who were different, ( Jews and Marxists) they would be able to gain for themselves through job opportunity; etc..

Conformity for career reasons:

• Youth believed that through their Persecution of Jews and Marxists; they would be able to gain career opportunities. 
• Not Successful  They were finding that had they been a few years older, they would have been well paying government posts for them, but there were not any such jobs in present because of their age.
• Not Successful   The youth were feeling their lack of freedom based upon the the national socialist organizations; they felt that they had no choices.

Conformity through fear:

• Youth were taught in school curriculum that they must be a part of Hitler youth, and in turn then feared what their lives would be like if they were not. 
• Children would lie about their family life: whose parent was a member of the SA, what newspaper did the family read, was your father a party member? Many children answered yes for fear of what would happen if they did not.
• Not Successful The children were no longer afraid of being different, and not attending Hitler Youth organizations: the uniforms and regimented games lost their appeal, many stopped paying their dues, and showing up at all... they were not afraid. 
• Children felt forced to be a part of these organizations because of what could happen to them and their families ( Violence, Concentration Camps, Death or Beating)
  
  

Conformity through apathy/natural obedience:

• They were politically programmed to follow orders and to obey- they were agreeing to everything they were told, and even though they didn't know much about Nazi Ideology or have read Mein Kampf they quoted it. 
• Not Successful They were questioning of the reasons in ideas such as anti-semitism: and anti jewish music and why they were not allowed, they didn't understand these ideas; for they were not party members they were just children/youths.

Nonconformity/disillusion:

• Not Successful: the working youths criticized the Hitler Youth, they were different and were not for the enthusiasm that the HJ fostered. 
• The youth was in great support of the Regime because of their involvement in youth organization, the upswing of support was from the new generation ( Bavaria) 
• Some youth were eager to "out fox" the authorities, they would not attend Hitler Youth events or meetings, they made a game out of violating the orders of National Socialism ( SW Germany) 
• Children hid the nonconforming ways of their parents when teachers tried to force them into National Socialist Activities and Hitler Youth; they would answer yes because of fear, even though their families were avowed opponents of the Nazis.
• Demoralization of Youth because they did not want to participate in HJ and many resigned their memberships and stopped paying dues as a way of rebellion. 

Criticism/opposition:

• withdrawal of participation from Hitler Youth, refusal to pay dues.
• parents who were directly opposing the Nazis caused their children to hide their true family life.
• the jobs that were promised to the young people in the beginning are not available to them because of their age.
• lack of freedom and fulfillment in the youth because what was promised to them by the NSDAP is not able to be obtained.
• Young (12-17) who would hang around ( Pirates) with young women, cause violence and bombings, terror;; outside of the Hitler Youth-- were criticized. 
• the Young people described above used graffiti to express their hatred for the Nazi Party and for the people who were being killed for hitler, and lied to and indoctrinated.