History 101:
What was it like for children in Nazi Germany? Part 1
In this Mini series I will be investigating what it was like for children in Nazi Germany and how they were effected by the Nazi regime:
Many people, and rightfully so, write off the Nazi regime as a sick, corrupt and brutal to everyone that came into contact with it, however they are wrong in certain aspects. Im not defending the Nazis in any way but they didn't bring hell to every person in Germany, otherwise they simply wouldn't of been voted in. The Nazis targeted the minorities, the people who were different or didn't abide/ agree with them and their beliefs. Although Many people did fit in to their idea and formula of a 'pure aryan race', so what was it like for them ,or more specifically the children, that fitted into this category in which the Nazis preached and loved.
The first place that was Nazified when talking about children was the School. Jewish Children were kicked, which left pure aryan Germans. All teachers were expected to join the Nazi league of teachers and they were trained in Nazi ideas and how to teach them in the classroom. Old History, and other subjects, textbooks were destroyed and re-written to tell the Nazis version of history. Many children perceptions of society and the world were tarnished with a far-right nationalist brush. The Nazis goal, was to make every child a Nazi through the propaganda.
Chemistry lessons focused on chemical warfare and explosives to prepare the boys for war, along with two hours a day of long strenuous excersise. Girls were not trained for war, instead they were taught about home economics and child rearing. The Nazis version of a strong Germany relied on women 'staying at home' and bringing up as many children as possible. There were even medals for accomplishing the rearing of 6 kids! One element that both boys and girls were taught was the racial ones. For instance, biology focused on race and the superiority of Aryans. Maths problems were usually on how costly disabled people were to the economy.
Teachers whose views were unacceptable or if they were Jewish, a women and not pure German were simply sacked. By 1936 40% of teachers were members of the Nazi party! one German lady recalled: "One of the new teachers was in the SA and came to school in his Nazi uniform. He preached to us how Hitler was great. I couldn't stand him. Eventually everyone couldn't stand him because he was rude and cruel". The state sponsored Nazification of schools was designed to brainwash children into believing in the Nazi regime and its ideals. Boys were told from a young age that you would become soldiers and Girls were told that you would become a mother and a loyal wife. This would not only give a well educated fighting force but also a large population full of 'Aryan' babies. Many children believed and took up the idea of how great the Nazis were however in some instances many children could take all the racial policies against Jews.
There was also another problem. By 1938 there was a shortage of teachers and the Nazis struggled to recruit any new ones. It seemed the brainwashing had backfired slightly as more and more teachers quit or ignored the textbooks. Some overcame the Nazis and insisted on teaching their subjects properly, not staining with Nazi propaganda.
Mostly though children were brainwashed into thinking and doing Nazi. Children were even encouraged to tell tales on grown ups talking or acting against Hitler. Some even told on their own parents, who were then sent to concentration camps. Not only was school brainwashing their minds but also another factor, The Hitler Youth....
Thanks for reading! hope you enjoyed part one about the brainwashing of children in Nazi Germany. Next time we will explore how the Hitler Youth also helped to teach the same ideals as Nazi school did.
History 101:
Enquires: theverybesthistory101@gmail.com
Twitter: @TheVBHistory101
[i do not own these photos]
What was it like for children in Nazi Germany? Part 1
In this Mini series I will be investigating what it was like for children in Nazi Germany and how they were effected by the Nazi regime:
Many people, and rightfully so, write off the Nazi regime as a sick, corrupt and brutal to everyone that came into contact with it, however they are wrong in certain aspects. Im not defending the Nazis in any way but they didn't bring hell to every person in Germany, otherwise they simply wouldn't of been voted in. The Nazis targeted the minorities, the people who were different or didn't abide/ agree with them and their beliefs. Although Many people did fit in to their idea and formula of a 'pure aryan race', so what was it like for them ,or more specifically the children, that fitted into this category in which the Nazis preached and loved.
 |
| Nazi teacher, teaching Nazified History. |
Chemistry lessons focused on chemical warfare and explosives to prepare the boys for war, along with two hours a day of long strenuous excersise. Girls were not trained for war, instead they were taught about home economics and child rearing. The Nazis version of a strong Germany relied on women 'staying at home' and bringing up as many children as possible. There were even medals for accomplishing the rearing of 6 kids! One element that both boys and girls were taught was the racial ones. For instance, biology focused on race and the superiority of Aryans. Maths problems were usually on how costly disabled people were to the economy.
Teachers whose views were unacceptable or if they were Jewish, a women and not pure German were simply sacked. By 1936 40% of teachers were members of the Nazi party! one German lady recalled: "One of the new teachers was in the SA and came to school in his Nazi uniform. He preached to us how Hitler was great. I couldn't stand him. Eventually everyone couldn't stand him because he was rude and cruel". The state sponsored Nazification of schools was designed to brainwash children into believing in the Nazi regime and its ideals. Boys were told from a young age that you would become soldiers and Girls were told that you would become a mother and a loyal wife. This would not only give a well educated fighting force but also a large population full of 'Aryan' babies. Many children believed and took up the idea of how great the Nazis were however in some instances many children could take all the racial policies against Jews.
 |
| Young school children doing the Nazi salute |
Mostly though children were brainwashed into thinking and doing Nazi. Children were even encouraged to tell tales on grown ups talking or acting against Hitler. Some even told on their own parents, who were then sent to concentration camps. Not only was school brainwashing their minds but also another factor, The Hitler Youth....
Thanks for reading! hope you enjoyed part one about the brainwashing of children in Nazi Germany. Next time we will explore how the Hitler Youth also helped to teach the same ideals as Nazi school did.
History 101:
Enquires: theverybesthistory101@gmail.com
Twitter: @TheVBHistory101
[i do not own these photos]
Comments
Post a Comment