The Hitler Youth program remains one of those important historical questions of Was it justified?
On one hand, it might be obvious to say that the entire idea was evil. And it is hard to say that some elements of the program, especially with their terrible conclusion at the war's end, weren't immoral:
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Raising an entire generation to swear absolute allegiance to a single ruler
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Playing on the psychology of children to seduce them to military training
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Indoctrinating children into a belief who don't know much better
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Using these children as a source of soldiers
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Alienating sons and daughters against their families
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Giving false hope to youth so that they might more easily die for their country
And yet, it's hard to ignore the underlying values defining Hitler Youth Program which the Nazis wanted to impart on the next generation of Germans. Many of these values are ones which Americans would agree with, and can be found in Hitler's famous speech to the Nazi youth organizations in 1934:
Equality- as von Shirach also put it, the Hitler Youth was "A youth which knows no classes or castes." The Nazis wanted their children to grow in an environment free of social polarity.
Peace- It may be surprising that behind Hitler's hawkish calls to war and violence against the Jews lies peace, something the Nazis apparently desire. Whether or not Hitler meant it, he did find it important enough to mention to the Hitler Youth.
Toughness- Platoon leaders were told to instill resilience. One ex-Hitler Youth said that when he cried because his father had passed away; his platoon leader scolded him, “a German boy doesn’t cry" and that, "since that moment [he] never shed another tear.”
“My German youth, after a year, I can greet you here again.
You are here today in this place a cross section of what is around us in the whole of Germany.
And we know that you German boys and girls..are taking on everything we hope for from Germany. We want to be one people.
And you, my youth, are to be this people.
We want to see no more class divisions. You must not let this grow up amongst you.
We want to see one Reich one day. And you must train for it.
We want our people to be obedient. And you must practise obedience.
We want our people to love peace, but also to be brave. And you must be peace-loving… [applause]
And so you must be peace-loving and courageous at the same time. [applause]
We want our people to remain strong. It will be hard, and you must steel yourself for it in your youth.
You must learn to suffer privation, without crumbling once.
And whatever we create today, whatever we do, we will die, but Germany will live on in you.
And when there is nothing left of us, then you must hold in your fists the flags that we hoisted out of nothing. [applause]
And I know this cannot be otherwise. Because you are the flesh of our flesh, and the blood of our blood. And in your young heads burns the same spirit that rules us. You cannot be other than united with us.
And when the great columns of our movement march triumphantly through Germany today, I know you will join the columns.
And we know… [applause]
Before us Germany lies, in us Germany burns, and behind us Germany follows! [applause]
Obedience- The Hitler Youth leaders gave severe punishments for disobedience. Respecting authority and elders, listening, and understanding orders were key attributes the Nazis wanted in their youth.
Discipline and Endurance- Hitler Youth were told to prepare for the inevitable physical and mental struggle in later life, and learn to triumph past it instead of becoming crippled by it.