Impact Of Hitler's Programs On German Youth

In the 1920s, Hitler created programs that would ensure a bright future for Germany. These programs included the German Young People, Hitler Youth, Young Girls, and League of German Girls. Members of these programs were children aging as young as 10 to 18 years old, both boys and girls. Nazi ideas were forced into their brains and they were trained according to Hitler’s personal beliefs. He believed that men were meant to be soldiers and workers, while women should always stay home in order to raise children. The children went through 8 years of the programs and by the time that they left, they were “walking Nazi propaganda”. Hitler’s inspiration for these programs came from an earlier German Youth Group, the Wandervögel. The Wandervögel

In 1928, the Jungvolk (German Young People) was made for boys aged 10-13. This younger version of the Hitler Youth did mainly sporting activities, but were also taught simple military skills. Marching and map reading, for example, were things taught in the German Young People. During this age, boys were also taught Nazi views such as anti-semitism and racial purity. These were some of Hitlers beliefs. By creating an even younger program, he was able to more permanently install Nazi ideas into the heads of these children. They likely did this because soldiers are known to fight harder if they truly believe what they’re fighting for. Also, since the boys were taught military skills from a young age, the Germans had a major advantage over their opponents in World War

Any childr not enrolled would be removed from their homes and placed in orphanages. The Hitler Youth Programs became the largest youth organization in the world by 1939, containing over 7.3 million members. When World War 2 started, 5 million of these German children were evacuated for their safety. Some Hitler Youth boys stayed and dug anti-tank ditches to prevent Soviet attacks. Others traveled west to push back the other Allied Forces. Due to their training, the Hitler Youth were some of Germany’s best soldiers. These boys played a major role in the last line of their country’s defense, though most of them were killed. In May of 1945, Germany surrendered. After the war, the programs broke up due to the De-Nazifaction process carried out by the Allies. Millions of children were manipulated and corrupted into believing the ideas forced upon them. In fact, some of the Hitler Youth leaders were put on trial for this. In conclusion, the Hitler Youth Programs made a lasting effect on Germany by teaching children important skills along with Nazi