How far was army opposition to Hitler a threat?

Learning objective – to be able to assess the impact and the extent of the opposition to Hitler from the army. I can describe some of the ways how the army opposed Hitler. Grade D I can explain why and how the army opposed Hitler. Grade B I can explain and evaluate the extent and impact of the opposition to Hitler from the army. Grade A

Starter – suggest ways how the army could show their opposition to Hitler and his policies?

Why did the army oppose Hitler? Many upper class army officers were scornful of Hitler’s lower origins. Many officers supported a Kaiser rather than a dictator. Many officers were horrified by Hitler’s racial policies. Many officers disagreed with Hitler’s desire for expansion and war. Many officers felt the actions of the SS went against their code of honour in the war. Many officers felt by 1943 that Hitler had to be removed when the tide of war turned.

To what extent was there opposition to Hitler within the army before the war? The first sign of protest from the army came in 1937 when Hitler announced his plans for expansion in the Hossbach Memorandum and his conviction that Britain and France would not intervene. Colonel-General Ludwig Beck, chief of the general staff, warned that army would be divided over this plan and he was forced to resign. Beck warned Britain and France of Hitler’s intentions but was ignored. Beck remained a respected figure in the army and became a focal point for army officers who had reservations about Hitler’s plans.

How far did the Kreisau Circle provide effective opposition to Hitler? After the defeats of 1942 and 1943, a group of army officers, academics, aristocrats and churchmen formed the Kreisau Circle, named after the estate of the lead conspirator, Helmut von Moltke. They met to discuss plans for a peaceful Germany. However, many of them recoiled at the prospect of overthrowing Hitler – limiting their threat and effective opposition. Their true value was they were an indication of the dissatisfaction from the conservative right – natural supporters of the Nazis. Without direction, they disbanded in 1944 after the arrest of von Moltke.

How far did opposition to Hitler become more intense in 1943? With defeats mounting up for Germany in 1943, plots were made to kill Hitler led by General Henning von Tresclow. March, 1943 saw two known attempts to kill Hitler with a bomb placed on Hitler’s plane – this failed to detonate – as well as an assassination attempt planned at an exhibition – where Hitler failed to turn up. There was initial difficulty in recruiting high-ranking officers in planning to remove Hitler. However, with tide of the war turning, serious questions were being asked by more army officers of Hitler’s leadership.

Who was Claus von Stauffenberg? Claus von Stauffenberg was a Lieutenant who was a Catholic and had been badly injured in Africa. He opposed Hitler’s military strategy and was disgusted by the anti-Semitic policies. He had decided enough was enough and Hitler had to be removed. Crucially he was a chief of staff and had access to meetings in which Hitler attended. It was he who came closest to assassinating Hitler in Operation Valkyrie.

What was Operation Valkyrie? Operation Valkyrie planned to kill Hitler in his briefing room at the Wolf’s Lair in Rastenburg on 20 th July Then afterwards the Nazi hierarchy would be arrested and the army would take control. A bomb would be placed in a briefcase which would be underneath a table where a meeting involving Hitler. Von Stauffenberg would take a telephone call which excuse him from the room and he would then leave the military complex.

Why did Operation Valkyrie fail? At the last minute the briefcase was moved and the bomb exploded but failed to kill Hitler. The conspirators were doomed and were betrayed by their key contact, General Fromm, who disowned them. Von Stauffenberg was shot the day after the failure of Operation Valkyrie. Hitler then carried out a series reprisals where he rounded up all his known opponents and killed 2,000 of them. It was at this point where many officers in the army gave up and resigned themselves to the view that they only way Hitler would be removed was by defeat on the battlefield from the Allies.

Main task Complete the graph exercise. Use a whole page and remember to draw your graph in pencil and label in pen. Answer the follow up questions in full sentences giving evidence to support your answers.

Subheading – My Brain Draw an outline of your brain. Fill your drawn brain with all the things you have learnt in this lesson. This can be in the form of key words, drawings, bullet points, lists – anything you like so long as it summarises your learning and that others can understand it. Plenary – My Brain