Hitler Youth and Propaganda
By Molina Strickland
Who were the Hitler Youth?
The boys spent a lot of time working on their physique through 'military athletics' (Wehrsport) which included hiking and sports. Hiking became the main training for military marches while activities around the campfires included basic weapon handling.
The girls however were taught about motherhood. Other than the usual fitness exercises to stay strong, the female role the Nazi idolized was a submissive, beautiful German Aryan woman who took the role of wife, mother and housemaker in the household.
Hitler had high expectations for the Hitler Youth as the organization itself was an extension of his beliefs that the future of Nazi Germany was its children.
What factors encouraged the young people to join the Hiter Youth?
How did the HJ contribute to Anti-Smetism?
What types of propaganda were the young people exposed to?
The young people of Germany were exposed to massive amounts of propaganda, during Hitler's rule. In every classroom there would be at least one portrait of Hitler. The subjects that were taught were closely associated with the militarism, nationalism and imperialism as they were studies based on the superiority of the Aryan race, the need for more Lebensraum and hatred for other races. Add in the fact that anti-semitism, nationalism and imperialism appeared on every newspaper, radio and poster made the Nazi extremely successful in gaining their goals for a generation of loyal, young Nazis.
Who opposed the Hitler Youth?
Due to the change in the regime, they began more proactive forms of resistance such as distributing anti-Nazi leaflets and vandalizing Nazi propaganda and buildings.