Opposition-Young people

The subject of opposition in the form of young people is considered to be more dissent than active resistance.

However, it is important not to under estimate the threat they posed. This is shown as the government set up a special youth section of the secret police. There was also a special youth concentration in Neuwied.

Not all young people were taken in by Hitler's message.

A number of young people deliberately flouted the expectations that were placed on them

The swing youth appealed more to the middle class and played Jewish and Jazz music.

The Edelweiss Pirates was the collective term given to the group that attracted support from the working class. They had been alienated by the military emphasis and discipline of the Hitler Youth. They became more involved in active resistance, such as in 1944 when 12 were publicly hanged for attacks on the military and the assassination of a Gestapo officer

The White Rose

This was the most famous example of youth led opposition. It was led by Hans and Sophie Scholl and went beyond dissent.

They produced leaflets and distributed them, condemning the government politically for its moral and spiritual values.

However, they had weak security and soon the Gestapo found out.