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Jess Dodwell
08/12/2025
History
Weimar and Nazi Germany: Opposition from the Young
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German Attitudes Towards Nazi Rule
Hitler's popularity wasn't just built on fear - many Germans genuinely supported him because their lives improved dramatically after 1933. The economic recovery from the Great Depression meant jobs returned, and Germany's international reputation was restored through military victories like reclaiming the Saar (1935) and occupying the Rhineland (1936).
However, three assassination attempts before 1939 show that not everyone was happy. Most Germans who disliked Nazi policies kept quiet because they feared the Gestapo, didn't know the full extent of Nazi crimes due to censorship, and saw no organised alternative since all other political parties were banned.
Army opposition proved particularly dangerous for Hitler. In 1938, he removed 16 critical generals, and General Ludwig Beck attempted to organise fellow officers to arrest the Führer. Beck later led assassination plots in 1943 and 1944, showing that even within the military establishment, resistance persisted.
Remember: Opposition existed at all levels of German society, but fear and Nazi successes made organised resistance extremely difficult.
Youth Rebellion: The Edelweiss Pirates
Some German teenagers refused to accept Nazi control over every aspect of their lives, forming alternative youth groups that directly challenged the official Hitler Youth. These young rebels wanted the freedom to make their own choices about music, clothes, and friendships.
The Edelweiss Pirates emerged in the mid-1930s as working-class gangs in major German cities. They deliberately stood out by wearing longer hair, American-style checked shirts, and white socks - a direct rejection of Nazi uniformity. Using the white edelweiss flower as their symbol, local groups took names like the 'Travelling Dudes' and 'Navajos'.
Pirates' activities included beating up Hitler Youth members, going on countryside hikes away from adult supervision, and singing parodies of Nazi songs. They told anti-Nazi jokes and openly mocked the regime, creating spaces where young people could express themselves freely.
Key Point: The Edelweiss Pirates represented working-class youth rebellion against Nazi social control and military discipline.
The Swing Youth and Limited Opposition
The Swing Youth offered a middle-class alternative to Nazi conformity, centred around their love of American jazz music and culture. Mainly teenagers from wealthy families in cities like Berlin and Hamburg, they organised illegal dances attracting up to 6,000 young people who wanted to escape Nazi regimentation.
Swing activities included listening to banned American records, dancing the 'jitterbug', wearing makeup, and singing anti-Hitler songs. They admired everything American - clothes, films, and especially swing bands like Glen Miller's orchestra, which Nazis condemned as 'inferior' because of its African-American origins.
However, youth opposition remained limited in three crucial ways. Their actions were mostly cultural rather than political, focusing on personal freedom rather than overthrowing the regime. Numbers were tiny - only 2,000 Edelweiss Pirates compared to 8 million Hitler Youth members by 1939. Most importantly, their resistance didn't seriously threaten Nazi power until after 1939 when war disrupted German society.
Reality Check: Whilst youth rebellion was brave and significant culturally, it posed no real political threat to Nazi control before World War II.
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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
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THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Understanding Youth Opposition in Weimar and Nazi Germany
Understanding how ordinary Germans reacted to Nazi rule is crucial for grasping how dictatorships work. Whilst many Germans supported Hitler's early successes, others - especially young people - found creative ways to resist Nazi control over their daily lives.
German Attitudes Towards Nazi Rule
Hitler's popularity wasn't just built on fear - many Germans genuinely supported him because their lives improved dramatically after 1933. The economic recovery from the Great Depression meant jobs returned, and Germany's international reputation was restored through military victories like reclaiming the Saar (1935) and occupying the Rhineland (1936).
However, three assassination attempts before 1939 show that not everyone was happy. Most Germans who disliked Nazi policies kept quiet because they feared the Gestapo, didn't know the full extent of Nazi crimes due to censorship, and saw no organised alternative since all other political parties were banned.
Army opposition proved particularly dangerous for Hitler. In 1938, he removed 16 critical generals, and General Ludwig Beck attempted to organise fellow officers to arrest the Führer. Beck later led assassination plots in 1943 and 1944, showing that even within the military establishment, resistance persisted.
Remember: Opposition existed at all levels of German society, but fear and Nazi successes made organised resistance extremely difficult.
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Youth Rebellion: The Edelweiss Pirates
Some German teenagers refused to accept Nazi control over every aspect of their lives, forming alternative youth groups that directly challenged the official Hitler Youth. These young rebels wanted the freedom to make their own choices about music, clothes, and friendships.
The Edelweiss Pirates emerged in the mid-1930s as working-class gangs in major German cities. They deliberately stood out by wearing longer hair, American-style checked shirts, and white socks - a direct rejection of Nazi uniformity. Using the white edelweiss flower as their symbol, local groups took names like the 'Travelling Dudes' and 'Navajos'.
Pirates' activities included beating up Hitler Youth members, going on countryside hikes away from adult supervision, and singing parodies of Nazi songs. They told anti-Nazi jokes and openly mocked the regime, creating spaces where young people could express themselves freely.
Key Point: The Edelweiss Pirates represented working-class youth rebellion against Nazi social control and military discipline.
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The Swing Youth and Limited Opposition
The Swing Youth offered a middle-class alternative to Nazi conformity, centred around their love of American jazz music and culture. Mainly teenagers from wealthy families in cities like Berlin and Hamburg, they organised illegal dances attracting up to 6,000 young people who wanted to escape Nazi regimentation.
Swing activities included listening to banned American records, dancing the 'jitterbug', wearing makeup, and singing anti-Hitler songs. They admired everything American - clothes, films, and especially swing bands like Glen Miller's orchestra, which Nazis condemned as 'inferior' because of its African-American origins.
However, youth opposition remained limited in three crucial ways. Their actions were mostly cultural rather than political, focusing on personal freedom rather than overthrowing the regime. Numbers were tiny - only 2,000 Edelweiss Pirates compared to 8 million Hitler Youth members by 1939. Most importantly, their resistance didn't seriously threaten Nazi power until after 1939 when war disrupted German society.
Reality Check: Whilst youth rebellion was brave and significant culturally, it posed no real political threat to Nazi control before World War II.
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Most popular content: Resistance in National Socialism
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English - inspector calls quotes and analysis
Quotes from every main character
English Literature10
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user