APPEALING TO CHILDREN
“I was looking for comradeship, friendship, and something structured to do. Most of all I sought recongition and I found it there.”
-Ex-Hitler Youth
“Of course I’ve often been asked the question 'what motivated us?'. The cool teenagers of today would ask, 'why were you so stupid to go along with it?' I could only reply, 'Thank god you can ask that question. We couldn’t have asked it.'"
-Ex-Hitler Youth
In many ways, the Hitler Youth resembled a summer camp. It was an organization for kids to gather together en masse and participate in physical activities, many of which were considered fun. Hitler Youth propoganda depicted its programs as such, and by time the Nazis declared mandatory participation, the majority of German children had already been attracted to its ranks.
Membership increased greatly in 1933, when the Nazi party dissolved all other youth organizations; it was given another boost in 1936 with the Hitler Youth Law which made membership required for all kids aged 10-18.
“It was fun to be with children the same age, instead of just scuffling the streets or climbing a tree. It was fun to go on proper trips.”
The children certainly found the Hitler Youth appealing because of its physical activity, but Hitler and the Nazis were also playing on the thoughts of German children. They understood the psychology of the adolescent, and adjusted their program accordingly:
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Peer pressure strongly affected kids
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Children wanted to get away from their parents every once in a wihle
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Teens had a rebellious spirit
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Adolescents were looking for self-identity and purpose
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Adolescents want to feel special
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Children could feel guilty for failing a community
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Propoganda was generated at breakneck pace; rallies were held
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Hitler Youth organized field trips (e.g., to mountains or the seaside) lasting 2-3 weeks
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Youths were encouraged to separate from their families and attend Hitler Youth instead of family gatherings
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When children were inducted, they swore their loyalty to a single leader and goal
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Exclusive groups like the Waffen SS were formed for top-performing Hitler Youths
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Ostracization of kids who were falling behind
NAZISM IN CHILDREN
The Hitler Youth quickly took over Germany's education and began taking over more and more of the German child's life. Starting in Kindergarden, they were taught racial theory; later, they were taught the arts of war. By the time they were older, many were willing to fully devote themselves to their Führer, and had been imbued with the idea of sacrificing their life for their country. The idea of a "perfect German" was enforced by regular measurements and evaluations of children in schools, and subsequent ostracization of the "undesireables."
"As boys grew older their schedules became more and more filled with Hitler Youth activities and they almost had no respite from Nazism."
“We suddenly felt different from before. We were important and had a mission.”
“We were like soldiers. We were acutally sworn in. Even though we were only 14, we swore to give our lives to the Fuhrer, the people, and the fatherland.”
-Ex-Hitler-Youth, upon swearing allegiance
A children's picture book- it says: "! The undesireable jews are here!"