What was it like to be a German child during World War 2? - Presentation

The experience of being a German child during World War 2 was shaped by a range of factors, including the widespread influence of the Nazi regime. German children living in cities and towns, much like their British counterparts, were evacuated to the countryside to escape the dangers of Allied bombings. Early in the war, many German children were optimistic and supportive of the conflict, believing in Adolf Hitler's vision for Germany. This sentiment was partly a result of the Hitler Youth movement, which was introduced to children from the age of 12. The movement, while superficially similar to scouting, had more ominous objectives, aiming to instil loyalty and prepare boys for military service and girls for traditional domestic roles. The book "Rose Blanche" is often used to help pupils understand the attitudes of German people, including children, towards the Nazi regime and the war.

The indoctrination of German youth was a key strategy for the Nazis, encompassing control over schools, youth groups, propaganda, and censorship. Teachers were monitored for their political and racial backgrounds, with Jewish teachers losing their jobs. Textbooks were rewritten to promote ideas of German strength, Aryan supremacy, and anti-Semitic sentiments. The Hitler Youth took over nearly all youth groups, except for Catholic ones, which were disbanded. Boys were promised future leadership roles and were trained for military service, while girls were prepared to become wives and mothers. The movement enrolled boys at six and girls at ten, with both genders joining their respective main groups at the age of 14. They were subjected to different training, but all attended indoctrination and fitness classes, a reflection of how the Nazi regime sought to mould the next generation according to its ideologies.