The activities of Hitler Youth in Nazi Germany

• The Hitler Youth for boys was organised along military lines as they would take part in drills, marching and weapons training were given
• Girls joined the German Maids
• They were expected to take part in exercise and learn domestic skills so that they would become good wives and mothers
• Boys and girls in Hitler Youth took part in parades and many played musical instruments as part of this
• Young people were made to feel important and swore an oath to die for the Fuhrer
• Most activities were exciting but they also had to listen to long political lectures
• Hitler was often photographed surrounded by young people
• He wanted to be identified with the image of a new young Germany
• Children were threatened to conform with Nazi beliefs Hitler youth were taught to respect, obey and show loyalty to their Fuhrer
• All children had to dress correctly as boys wore a military style uniform
• Boys learned military skills such as practising with weapons
• To toughen them up, they were taken on cross country hikes and runs
• Boys were also tested on their knowledge of Nazism
• Boys did not all enjoy the endless marching
• Boys also took part in "military athletics" (Wehrsport) for example, bayonet drill, grenade throwing, trench digging, map reading, how to get under barbed wire and pistol shooting
• Children took part in compulsory gymnastics and other sporting activities like football
• Boys were also forced to take part in competitive boxing matches where the rules were not as important as beating your opponent
• Hitler youth also took children on camping trips