Opposition, 1939-45 (AQA GCSE History): Revision Notes
Opposition, 1939-45
Growing resistance during wartime
Following the outbreak of World War Two in 1939, and particularly after 1942, resistance to Nazi rule began to increase significantly. As the war progressed and Germans started to see the reality of Nazi brutality, especially on the Eastern Front, more people became willing to risk their lives to oppose the regime. Several key opposition groups emerged during this period, each using different methods to challenge Hitler's dictatorship.
The year 1942 marked a crucial turning point in German resistance. This was when the war began to turn against Germany, making Nazi brutality more apparent to ordinary Germans and inspiring greater willingness to resist the regime.
The White Rose Group
Formation and leadership
The White Rose Group formed at Munich University and was led by students Hans Scholl, Sophie Scholl, and Christoph Probst. This group represented one of the most famous examples of non-violent resistance to Nazi rule during the war years.
Methods and beliefs
The group adopted the white rose as their symbol because it represented justice and purity. They were committed to peaceful resistance and chose to fight the Nazi regime through the power of words rather than violence. Hans Scholl had witnessed the horrific treatment of Jews and other non-Aryans while serving on the Eastern Front, which motivated him to take action against the regime.
The White Rose Group created and distributed leaflets throughout German cities, exposing Nazi atrocities and encouraging people to resist the war effort. These leaflets revealed the truth about what was happening in Nazi Germany and called for Germans to wake up to the reality of their government's crimes.
The White Rose Group's approach was unique among resistance movements - they believed that moral awakening through truthful information could inspire Germans to reject Nazism from within, rather than requiring violent overthrow.
Consequences
The Nazi regime showed no mercy to these student protesters. All three main leaders, along with other members of the group, were eventually captured and executed for their opposition activities. This harsh treatment demonstrated how seriously the Nazis took any form of resistance, even peaceful protest.
Edelweiss Pirates and Swing Youth
Emergence during the war
During the war years, particularly from 1942 onwards when Germany began to struggle militarily, youth opposition groups became increasingly bold in their resistance. The Edelweiss Pirates and Swing Youth groups emerged in many German cities as young people began to see through Nazi propaganda and reject the regime's control over their lives.
Activities and methods
These youth groups engaged in various forms of resistance that became progressively more political and violent as the war continued. Their activities included:
- Distributing Allied propaganda leaflets to spread information the Nazis wanted to suppress
- Providing shelter and assistance to army deserters who had fled from military service
- Directly attacking members of the Hitler Youth organisation
- In 1944, some Pirates went as far as killing the head of the Cologne Gestapo
The growing numbers and boldness of these groups showed that Nazi control over German youth was beginning to weaken as the war turned against Germany.
Nazi response
The regime dealt severely with youth opposition. Many Edelweiss Pirates were captured and publicly hanged as a warning to others. Some Pirates were also sent to concentration camps. The Nazis used these harsh punishments to try to deter other young people from joining resistance activities.
The July Plot, 1944
Background and planning
The most serious military opposition to Hitler came in July 1944 through "Operation Valkyrie," planned by Count Stauffenberg. Stauffenberg had experienced the brutal realities of the Eastern Front firsthand, which convinced him that Hitler had to be removed to save Germany from complete destruction.
The assassination attempt
The July 20th Assassination Attempt
On 20 July 1944, at a military conference in East Prussia, Stauffenberg attempted to kill Hitler using a bomb hidden in a briefcase. The sequence of events:
Step 1: Stauffenberg placed the briefcase bomb near Hitler during the conference Step 2: The bomb exploded as planned during the meeting Step 3: Hitler survived with only minor injuries due to the table's protection Step 4: The plot's failure marked the end of the most serious internal threat to Nazi rule
Consequences
Massive Retaliation
The failed assassination attempt led to brutal retaliation by the Nazi regime. Stauffenberg and 5,746 others, including 19 generals and 26 colonels, were executed for their involvement in the plot. This brutal response eliminated much of the remaining opposition within the German military and showed other potential resisters the deadly consequences of opposing Hitler.
How effectively was opposition dealt with, 1939-45?
The Nazi regime's response to wartime opposition was characterised by extreme brutality and effectiveness in suppressing resistance. Several factors contributed to their success in controlling opposition:
Harsh punishment as deterrent
The Nazis treated any form of resistance or opposition during the war years with extreme seriousness. They understood that wartime opposition posed a genuine threat to their control, so they responded with maximum force. Public executions and concentration camps served as powerful deterrents to potential resisters.
Targeting different types of opposition
The regime adapted its responses to different forms of opposition. Young people caught listening to jazz music or wearing inappropriate clothing were sent to concentration camps, while those who spoke out against the regime faced public execution. Military opposition, as seen in the July Plot, resulted in mass executions that eliminated entire networks of potential resisters.
Creating a climate of fear
By dealing so harshly with opposition groups, the Nazis created an atmosphere where people were afraid to speak out or resist. The knowledge that even peaceful student protesters would be executed served as a powerful warning to others who might consider opposing the regime.
Key Factors in Nazi Success Against Opposition:
- Extreme brutality as a deterrent to potential resisters
- Adapted responses to different types of opposition groups
- Mass executions that eliminated entire resistance networks
- Climate of fear that prevented widespread resistance movements
Timeline of major events
- 1939: War begins, opposition groups start to emerge
- 1942: Opposition increases as war turns against Germany; Edelweiss Pirates and Swing Youth become more active
- 1943: White Rose Group distributes leaflets; leaders executed
- 1944: July Plot assassination attempt fails; mass executions follow
- 1944: Edelweiss Pirates kill head of Cologne Gestapo; public hangings follow
- 1945: War ends with Nazi regime's collapse
Key Points to Remember:
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Opposition grew during wartime - As the war progressed and Nazi brutality became more apparent, more Germans were willing to risk their lives to resist the regime
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Different groups used different methods - From the peaceful leaflet campaigns of the White Rose Group to the violent actions of the Edelweiss Pirates and the military coup attempt of the July Plot
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The Nazi response was always brutal - Whether dealing with student protesters, youth groups, or military officers, the regime used execution and concentration camps to eliminate opposition and deter others
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The July Plot represented the greatest internal threat - Count Stauffenberg's 1944 assassination attempt came closest to removing Hitler and changing Germany's course, but its failure led to the elimination of military opposition
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Opposition ultimately failed to overthrow the regime - Despite brave efforts by various groups, Nazi control remained strong enough to suppress all internal resistance until Germany's military defeat in 1945