4- Life in Nazi Germany

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Life in Nazi Germany – Topic 4

Youth Movements:

¬ Control of youth movements and membership - all other youth organisations were banned ; membership compulsory by 1936 ; 7 million members by 1939

¬ Boys’ movements - Little fellows 6-10 yrs ; German Young People 10-13 ; Hitler Youth 14-18 ; shooting, military drills, signalling, military-style camps/uniform, map reading, hiking,  helping fire brigade during the war, formed military brigades to defend Berlin in 1945 ; boys to be strong and healthy in order to work for the German economy and fight in the German forces ; focused on exercise and political indoctrination ; by 1939 90 per cent of German boys aged 14 and over were members.

¬ Girls’ movements - Young Girls’ League 10-14 ; League of German Maidens 14-18 ; Faith and Beauty 18-21 ; cookery, housework, needlework, craft, learning what to look for in a good husband, learning about babies and childcare, sport, camping, working on land, domestic science/activities, hiking ; girls to be strong and healthy in order to be strong wives and fertile mothers ; preparing for motherhood ; uniform

¬ Both movements - hiking, camping, learning about Hitler/racial superiority, reading Mein Kampf, singing patriotic songs, sport/competitions, marches/rallies, reporting people who make anti-Nazi comments ; to be proud Germans ho supported a strong, independent Germany ; to be loyal supporters of the Nazi Party and to believe in Nazi policies ; preparing children for future roles as adults

¬ Control of Nazi youth -comradeship, passion ; trips/ camps ; membership made compulsory in 1939 due to low numbers

¬ Unpopularity of youth groups - membership falling ; no enthusiasm shown by most of HY ; only 1/3 of a group appeared for roll-call in HY ; there is no personal time, only military training

¬ School - indoctrinated children to support Nazism ; followed set Nazi-themed curriculum ; teachers had to join Nazi Teachers’ League ; 15% of time doing PE

Marriage and Family:

¬ Women - ideal woman=no make-up, hair back, traditional/ plain clothes,

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