Kia & Paisley: Hitler Youth

Summary:

The Nazi Regime aimed a lot of propaganda and messages at the children of Germany. One of the most powerful ways they achieved this was through the Hitler Youth. 

The education system of Germany was influenced heavily by the Nazi Party. In 1933 The Nazi Regime got rid of any Jewish teachers or teachers with politically unacceptable views (Such as communism). Teachers glorified the Aryan Race or ‘Master’ race, while clearly discriminating ‘bastard’ races. Textbooks were rewritten with Hitler’s ideas in them.

Working alongside the education system, was the Hitler Youth and The League of German Girls. The Hitler youth started in 1926 to train young boys into becoming Storm Troopers. In 1936, it became mandatory for all children ages 10 to 17. The programs in the youth groups were designed to promote obedience and self-sacrifice for Germany. Some of the activities for boys included sports, drills, outdoor training, and camping trips. For girls, it included rhythmic gymnastics, skiing, camping, and homemaking skills that aimed to create strong German mothers. All of these activities made children sacrifice their individuality for the Aryan race. 

When boys reached 18, they were required to join the armed forces. In 1944, boys under the age of 16 and men over the age of 60 were required to fight because the allied armies had broken into Germany. During the allied occupation after the war, youth were required to go through a ‘de-nazification’ process to try and undo 12 years of Nazi brainwashing.

The Article reviewed

Facts:

• in 1936 the total number of boys and girls registered as Hitlers youth was 4 million 
• Balder von Shirach was the overseer of the Hitler Youth movement
• By 1938, attendance was barely 25%, thus making it nessecary to have an attendence law
• The HitlerYouth was known as Hitler Jugend                
• Hitlers Youth was 10-18 years of age and was separated in the organization by gender
• Girls had to be able to run 60 metres in 14 seconds, throw a ball 12 metres, complete a 2 hour march, swim 100 metres and know how to make a bed.
• Physical fitness was considered the most important thing in the Hitler Youth schools
• A picture of Hitler was hung in every class room
• Resource 1  Resource 2 Resource 3

Quotes from the Book Thief:

• "One click!" They were told. "That's all the fuhrer wants to hear. Everyone united. Everyone together as one!" - Page 268, Zusak
• She also realized it was most likely those sodden days at the Hitler Youth that fed his, and subsequently her own, desire for crime. - Page 270, Zusak
• His ear infections and nerve damage were still contorting the marching pattern at the Hitler youth, which, I can assure you, was not a positive thing - Page 268, Zusak

Zusak, Marcus. The Book Thief. New York: Knopf, 2005. Paperback.