1. Opposition to the Nazis
‘It was easier to just go along with the Nazis – there was no point trying to fight them’
Lesson starter:
Do you agree with the above statement? Write down your ideas.

2. We are learning to…
Identify the ways in which ordinary Germans opposed the Nazis
Examine the reasons why more Germans didn’t oppose the Nazis
Analyse the extent to which the churches cooperated with the Nazis

3. I can…
Complete an N5 question using my learned knowledge from this section

4. A person or group fighting against forced laws or rule
Vocabulary
Resistance
A person or group fighting against forced laws or rule

5. What would be the problem with attempting this in Nazi Germany?
What Could You Do?
If you did not like the government of this country there are lots of things you could do:
What would be the problem with attempting this in Nazi Germany?

6. Reasons for not resisting… on the one hand…
Many people claimed they didn’t know the extent of the Nazis regime.
Others were too scared to resist due to the fear of the police state.
There were also some people who liked living under a Nazi government…

7. Some Positives of Nazi Rule
Due to forcing ‘undesirables’ out of jobs, unemployment fell dramatically (0% by 1939).
The German economy seemed to be doing very well under the Nazis, a far cry from the 1920s.
Hitler went against the Treaty of Versailles: The army was expanded and conscription reintroduced, so people felt safer.
Free Holiday camps and other rewards were introduced in the ‘strength through joy’ programme.
Large scale building projects took place, such as the autobahn or motorway. (Infrastructure)

8. Fear! Many people were scared by the Nazis so did not protest:
The Gestapo and spies/informants were everywhere.
Everyone knew trouble makers ended up in camps; some never came back.
Nazi propaganda was everywhere and this brainwashed a lot of people into believing Nazi lies.

9. How could a single person or small group resist the Nazis?
THINK about your ideas and write them down (2minutes)
PAIR with a partner and discuss your answers (2 minutes)
SHARE answers with the rest of the class

10. Jigsaw Task Each group will be given a set of 4 information cards.
Each person is responsible for gathering information on one section of opposition.
After a set amount of time, your teacher will collect the cards.
You should then take it in turns to share your answers with the rest of your group and take a note of what the rest of your group had.

11. You should complete the section of the table for each group.
You should give 2 actions for each group.
Group
Sub-Group
Actions
Youth Groups
Political Groups
Catholic Church
Other Christian Groups

12. On the other hand…
There were many groups who tried to oppose the Nazis;
Edelweiss Pirates
Swing Kids
(mainly young people, mainly small scale resistance)

13. Edelweiss Pirates Age 14-18
Formed gangs as they refused to join Hitler Youth
Attacked Hitler Youth camps
Sheltered army deserters and concentration camp prisoners

14. The Swing Kids Mainly male teenagers
Listened to ‘un-German’ swing music, blues or jazz
They also wore the latest American or British fashions they accepted Jewish children into their groups

15. The Churches

16. Background…
In the 1930s nearly all Germans were religious (33% Catholic, 66% Christian)
Hitler wasn’t a great fan of religion but knew he would face major problems if he tried to control religion
Many people have criticised the churches for cooperating with the Nazis…

17. German Christian Church (protestant church)
The Nazi party joined all the protestant churches together in the new German Christian Church
A Reich Bishop was appointed by the Nazis
Mein Kampf was their bible
The Swastika replaced the cross
In 1933 all Christian youth organisations were merged into the Hitler Youth

18. Protestant Church
Any pastors or clergy who spoke out against the Nazis were arrested and sent to camps.

19. The Catholic Church
On 8 July 1933 The Catholic Church and Hitler signed an agreement or concordat that neither side would criticise the other
Issues over things like ‘euthanasia’
Eventually the Nazis broke their side of the agreement
Catholic press was censored, Catholic schools shut down
By 1937 the Pope issued a message that spoke out against Hitler calling him a ‘mad prophet’ that was leading Germany to disaster
Pope Pius XII

20. Jehovah’s Witnesses Persecuted by The Nazi regime
They were Pacifists – would not join the army
They also refused to idolise Hitler
5000 died in camps

21. Task: N5 How Fully Question
Source A is from a history textbook, Nazi Rule
The Nazis were able to stay in power for twelve years due to a combination of factors. They created a police state where the SS. Gestapo and informers created an atmosphere of fear and terror. They controlled the churches to the extent that many clergy were silenced into cooperation. Most opposition groups like the Jazzers were small scale and youth led. Many historians have studied whether people liked living in Nazi Germany or whether people were terrified into cooperation. It is open to interpretation.
1. Assess how fully Source A describes the reasons for the Nazis staying in power in Germany after marks