Techniques Used by the Nazis in Converting German Youth to the Ideals of the Volksgemeinschaft

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Techniques Used by the Nazis in Converting German Youth to the Ideals of the Volksgemeinschaft Hitler recognised that he would have limited success in winning over every adult and that the youth of the country were central, if not fundamental, if he was to achieve the future Germany he had planned. Youth represented the future Germany - the Volksgemeinschaft. Millions joined The Hitler Youth programme. Many were forced through compulsory membership (1936). Youth played an important and significant part in the national community. The Hitler youth programme was set by Hitler in order to indoctrinate German Youth to perpetuate the Reich. This movement emphasized activism, physical training, Nazi ideology especially nationalism and racial concepts and absolute obedience to Hitler and the Nazi Party. These were used as training grounds for the future 'leaders' of the Nazi state. They attended schools where these values were and systems were imposed. Hitler scorned intellectualism, academia and deep learning and placed greater emphasis on physical strength and obedience. Thus many were initially attracted to the physical and adventurous activities. This however is proven by couple of sources such as by Melita Maschmann in her memoirs and from Gerhard Wilke’s quotation. “There was certainly a great deal of good and ambitious education in the Hitler Youth”. “No one in our class ever read Mein Kampf”. However due to this Academic quality and excellence did decline. There was no major reorganisation of schools and schooling systems to accommodate the changes expected under the Nazi state. There was a decline in denominationa... ... middle of paper ... ...afer to appear as conformers than to objects. It could affect their child's education and friendships and their own position and status in the community. However from studying the sources there are many reasons Nazis had succeeded in their purpose of converting the youth into ‘Hitler’s loyal soldiers’. For example the repetition of the vows or the repetition of studying Mein Kampf, all this must have had some effects on the youths as it must have manipulated their mind into thinking or excepting the idea of volksgemeinschaft. This has been confirmed from the quotes of Gerhard Wilke ‘obey orders’, ‘stop thinking when the magic word ‘Fatherland’ was uttered’. From all this I can conclude that there is very mixed evidence on the success of Nazi propaganda on German youth. But that many did follow their path.

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