Opposition and resistance in Nazi germany

• How do historians define 'opposition' in Nazi Germany?


  As any acts which openly defied the regime
• How do historians define 'resistance' in Nazi Germany?


  As active attempts to overthrow Hitler and the Nazis
• What is acknowledged about the Nazi regime's popularity?


  It was widely accepted and enjoyed much popular support
• Why is it difficult to know the exact popularity of the Nazi regime?

  Because Hitler's police state made it hard to express opposition
• What did Nazi propaganda portray Hitler as?


  As his people's saviour
• What did many Germans welcome when the Nazis came to power?

  The stability and economic growth an authoritarian regime brought
• What did Germans trade for the certainty and security brought by Hitler?

  The freedom and democracy of Weimar
• How did Hitler's regime restore Germany's international prestige?


  Through rearmament and dismantling the Treaty of Versailles
• What was the impact of propaganda directed towards German children?


  Many more Germans became active Nazi Party members
• Who led the Confessional Church in opposition to Hitler's Reich Church?

  Martin Niemöller
• What happened to Martin Niemöller during 1937-1945?


  He was held in a concentration camp
• How many clergy were sent to concentration camps during the Nazi regime?


  A total of 800 clergy
• What was Dietrich Bonhöffer linked to?


  The 1944 bomb plot
• What did the Pope's message 'With Burning Concern' do in 1937?


  Attacked Hitler as 'a mad prophet with repulsive arrogance'
• What campaign did Catholic Archbishop von Galen lead?


  A successful campaign to end euthanasia of mentally-disabled people
• How many German Catholic priests were imprisoned in Dachau concentration camp?


  400 priests
• What was the main youth opposition group in Nazi Germany?

  The Edelweiss Pirates
• How did the Edelweiss Pirates react to the Hitler Youth?


  By daubing anti-Nazi slogans and singing pre-1933 folk songs
• What happened to over 700 Edelweiss Pirates in 1942?


  They were arrested
• What did the Pirates in Cologne do in 1944?


  Killed the Gestapo chief
• What was the consequence of the Edelweiss Pirates killing the Gestapo chief?


  The Nazis publicly hanged 12 of them
• What was the White Rose group formed by?


  Students at Munich University in 1943
• What actions did the White Rose group take against the Nazis?


  Published anti-Nazi leaflets and marched in protest
• Who were the leaders of the White Rose group?

  Hans and Sophie Scholl
• What was the fate of Hans and Sophie Scholl?


  They were arrested and sentenced to the guillotine
• What were 'Swing Youth' and 'Jazz Youth' groups known for?


  Rejecting Nazi values, drinking alcohol, and dancing to jazz
• How did the Nazis view jazz music?


  As degenerate and called it Negro music
• How were the 'Swing Youth' and 'Jazz Youth' monitored?


  By the Gestapo, who raided illegal jazz clubs
• What was a common form of opposition from ordinary German workers?


  Posting anti-Nazi posters and graffiti, or organizing strikes
• What happened in Dortmund regarding industrial workers?


  The vast majority of men imprisoned were industrial workers
• What did workers strike over in 1935?


  High food prices
• When did workers go on strike during the Berlin Olympics?

  In 1936
• What are the key differences between opposition and resistance in Nazi Germany?


  • Opposition: Acts openly defying the regime
  • Resistance: Active attempts to overthrow Hitler and the Nazis
  • More opposition than resistance
• What were the main sources of opposition to the Nazi regime?

  • Churches: Confessional Church, Catholic opposition
  • Youth: Edelweiss Pirates, White Rose, Swing Youth
  • Workers: Strikes and anti-Nazi actions