The Hitler Youth was formed in 1926. The Hitler Youth was a logical extension of Hitler’s belief that the future of

Nazi Germany was its children. The Hitler Youth was seen as being as important to a child as school was.

Hitler had a clear idea as to what he expected German children to be like.

"The weak must be chiselled away. I want young men and women who can suffer pain. A young German must be as swift as a greyhound, as tough as leather, and as hard as Krupp's steel."

By 1933 there were over 100,000 Hitler Youth.

In theory, membership remained voluntary.

However, the pressure to join was considerable.

For example, those not in the Hitler Youth were

denied entry into university and were not

allowed apprenticeships.

The Hitler Youth catered for 10 to 18 year olds. There were separate organisations for boys and girls. The task of the boys section was to prepare the boys for military service. For girls,

the organisation prepared them for motherhood.

Girls during their training

The Hitler Youth comprised:

- The Little Fellows (Pimpf) for boys aged 6-10

- the German Young People (Deutsches Jungvolk - DJ) for boys aged 10 - 14;

- the Hitler Youth (Hitler-Jugend - HJ) for boys 14 - 18;

- the League of Young Girls (Jungmadelbund - JM) for girls 10 - 14; and

- the League of German Maidens (Bund Deutscher Madel - BDM) for girls 14 - 18.

The Nazis believed that to control Germany’s future they had to influence the minds of young people in Germany.

- Nazis regarded the aim of education as indoctrination and they opposed intellectual thought and free inquiry.

-Education was controlled to reflect German values and served the purpose of the state.

- German, History, Biology and Physical Education were the most important subjects for the Nazis.

- The Nazis made sure their ideas about inferior races were taught.

-The Nazis took control of the school curriculum in all German schools.

- They picked out subjects which would help them to get Nazi ideas across to young people.

Anti-Jewish propaganda from a German children’s book, 1938

Fuhrer, my Fuhrer, sent to me by God,

Protect and preserve me all my life

You have rescued Germany in it hour of need

I thank you for my daily bread

Stay with me, never leave me,

Fuhrer, My Fuhrer, my faith and my light.

Children’s Grace said before meals, 1936