Explain the nature and purpose of the 'Hitler Youth' movement
The Hitler Youth Movement was set up in 1926 and the nature of the movement could be described well as scouts but with a political purpose. When the Hitler youth movement was first started, the only difference between the movement and scouts was that it was compulsory! The children had to attend both weekday and weekend meetings. During weekday meetings the children were given political lectures on Nazi idea's and Hitler himself, they also learnt skills which could be put into practice at weekend meetings. The boys would do various sports like boxing, shooting, marching, club throwing (which would be useful later when using the hand grenade), athletics and military exercises such as trench digging, map reading and marching. The boys were also encouraged to play military style war games and team games were also encouraged because it gave the boys a sense of unity; one of Hitler's aims. Some of the activities which the girls took part in were similar to those of the boys for example the intense physical training. However Hitler's aim for the girls side of the movement was to turn the girls into fit and good housewives. They were taught the most important things to worry about was the three k's ‘Kirche, Kinder and Kuche.’ in English 'Church, children and Kitchen.' So at the meetings whilst the boys were playing sport and war games the girls learnt how to cook, clean, look after children and attend church. All of these teachings were purposeful in the aim of encouraging the girls to be fit mothers and good housewives .In this essay I shall explain Hitler's main purposes of the 'Hitler youth' movement.
