The lives of young people in Nazi Germany including education and youth movements (OCR GCSE History B (Schools History Project)): Revision Notes
The lives of young people in Nazi Germany including education and youth movements
When Hitler became Führer, all teachers were required to join the Nazi Teachers' Association and follow the political and racial ideology of the Nazis. All lessons started with "Heil Hitler!"
| SUBJECTS | CONTENT (lessons should highlight the following:) |
|---|---|
| History | The rise of the Nazi Party. |
| Biology | Nazi racial theories of evolution and eugenics, or improvement of Aryan genetic quality. |
| Physical Education | Five one-hour lessons per week on physical fitness. |
| Race Study and Ideology | Studying Aryan ideas and anti-Semitism. |
| Geography | Suitable resources and territories for the German living space. |
In general, the Nazi curriculum aimed at indoctrinating children with Nazi ideologies
In 1936, German boys and girls were encouraged to join the Hitler Youth Movement at the age of 10. By 1939, 90% of German boys aged 14 and over were members.
The Hitler Youth
Young boys were trained to become soldiers. Most activities included physical exercise, rifle practice and political indoctrination. They wore military uniforms.
The League of German Maidens
Hitler with members of his Hitler Youth (left) and League of German Maidens (right)
Young girls were prepared for future motherhood. Most activities included physical exercise and improvement of household skills. They wore a white blouse and blue skirt.
Aside from the Hitler Youth Movement, the Nazis also established schools solely for training future Nazi leaders including Napolas, Adolf Hitler Schools and Order Castles.
National Political Institutes of Education (Napolas)
Image showing training in NAPOLAS
On Hitler's 44th birthday, the Prussian minister of education, Rust, established Napolas, a secondary school for future Nazi elite. Boys aged 10 to 18 were given rigorous military and physical training for a future in the army, especially the Waffen-SS.
Following the Napolas were Adolf Hitler Schools, which trained children for future posts in the Nazi government. Boys aged 14 to 18 were subjected to political indoctrination rather than academics.
The Ordensburgen or Order Castles
Image of Hitler visiting Vogelsang Finishing School
Order Castles were named after the German Teutonic Knights during the Crusades. These establishments served as the highest residential schools for training future Nazi elite. Attendees were called Ordensjunkers and were expected to be tough.
Each Ordensjunker was required to have six years of education in an Adolf Hitler School and 2 ½ years in the State Labour Service followed by four years of full-time employment. Given the requirements, entrants were in their mid-20s. Among the Order Castles were Crössinsee, which emphasised physical training, Vogelsang that specialised in skiing and mountaineering, Sonthofen for general physical training, and Marienburg for the final year of political education.