To what extent do you consider that Hitler and the Nazis had achieved their aim of social revolution and unity (Volksgemeinschaft) by 1939?

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To what extent do you consider that Hitler and the Nazis had achieved their aim of social revolution and unity (Volksgemeinschaft) by 1939?

Here I will be looking at Hitler's rule in Germany from 1933-1939 where Hitler and the Nazis took up Germany in a state of economic depression after losing World War One, their aim was to create a Volksgemeinschaft; a classless society with unprecedented social mobility and egalitarianism. The American historian Schoenbaum in his book Hitler’s social revolution (1960) argued that there where evident changes in the structures of society and in social values, which I do agree with to some extent and I can see evidence to show that Hitler's aim was achieved in certain areas of his economy; but failed in others. To come to an overall conclusion I will be looking at each area that Hitler's rule had major effects on to see how it helped him in creating a Volksgemeinschaft.

In order for Hitler to create his Volksgemeinschaft he would need loyal Germans who would follow the Nazi vision. To do this Hitler was focusing on the young by giving them a pro-Nazi education, which indoctrinated them with their ideology and discarded opposing views.

. “In my great educative work….I am beginning with the young. We older ones are used up, but my magnificent youngsters…. With them I can make a new world”

Hitler’s aim for the male youth was to create a healthy and obedient class that were fit for war, this evolved their schooling being very physical and P.E took up 15% of a males timetable. The male youths would also learn about military and geography in classes, keeping information guide-lined so that the students would not study subjects that taught them things that might contradict Nazism. From this you can see evidence that Hitler was creating a very fit and military like male youth which was what he wanted for his Volksgemeinschaft

        The aim for girls was very different however and their education was formed mainly around preparing them to be the perfect mothers and wives, including subjects such as Eugenics which would teach them how to look for the perfect husband–someone of the Aryan race. This also helped to create a Volksgemeinschaft because it showed girls to be mothers and discouraged work.

        Nazis kept strict observations over the teachers to make sure that they were teaching correctly and had every teacher vetted. Any considered to be disloyal would be sacked, whilst their job role was reduced greatly so that they did not have much power. Even the cleaner’s wages where higher than theirs.

        In schools Hitler’s views on race and purity was enforced, and children were encouraged to discriminate against the social outcasts (Volksfeind) - mainly Jews, Gypsies and homosexuals. Children would learn about how it was the Jewish spies that caused Germany’s defeat in WW1, and would have questions aimed at familiarising them with anti-Semitic views.

        

As the youth helped insure the survival of the Nazi’s, Hitler also made youth groups; these where large communities of out of school clubs that would participate in activities and procedures based around fitness and Nazi ideology.

        The Nazi youth groups where joined after pledging an oath to the German people and Furher, showing that they where pro-Nazi. This however was not always honest and some youths joined because of the activities and fun that they could get out of it – which can be seen in the source below

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        . “I was, however not thinking of the Furher, nor of serving the German people, when I raised my right hand, but of the attractive prospect of participating in … exiting activities away from school and home”

Which shows that not everyone was convinced by Hitler and truly believed In the Nazi's, suggesting that they where not truly successful in this area; although they are keeping the youths fit.

        In 1934 the youth groups where made mandatory, this rose the figures of attendance dramatically and only excluded non Germans – specifically Jews; which made them look like outcasts ...

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