On the one hand, some historians argue that Hitler’s changes and methods in education weren’t necessary to follow his steps appropriately. It is claimed that the changes in the school curriculum made the youth agree with an ideology that they already had or were going to be taught in other ways. By propaganda and other uses mostly every kid in Germany became concerned about the difference between races, the greatness of the German nation, among other topics. These topics were taught at school to make students learn an ideology that they were in fact, going to understand and obey with time. Moreover, it is argued that Hitler imposed his force and authoritarian policy to make everyone in the country think as he did, therefore his changes in education weren’t necessary because he was already imposing his ideology by other means. Furthermore, some historians believe that by restricting the youth people in such a strict education, and with an outside world that was growing very fast with other type of ideology, his policy in education would provoke sooner or later a delay as regards the world in general and consequently, his nation would be restricted to grow or keep its leadership.
On the other hand, some historians believe that Hitler’s advance in education was necessary to accomplish his future plans. It is claimed that education played a very important part in Nazi Germany in trying to cultivate a loyal following generation for Hitler and the Nazis. The Nazis were aware that education would create loyal Nazis by the time they reached adulthood. Hitler wrote and explained what education meant in his book Mein Kampf: “The whole organization of education, and training which the People's State is to build up must take as its crowning task the work of instilling into the hearts and brains of the youth entrusted to it the racial instinct and understanding of the racial idea.” () Moreover, some historians argue that with a loyal future generation, fewer people would risk or even think to reveal against their government as people were brainwashed to have the same ideology their leader had. Furthermore, it is said that by the changes made in education Hitler instructed the youth mentally and physically because he would need them in the future years. This generation would be physically and mentally prepared to fight and die for their nation.
As a conclusion, it can be stated that Hitler’s approach in education were the steps that would allow him to follow his plans properly as in fact, the sole purpose of the changes made in the educational structure was to create a future generation that was blindly loyal to him and the Nazis.
Bibliography:
Internet web pages:
~ Information Services, [Online] Available
, August 16, 2003.
~ British Broadcasting Corporation Internet, [Online] Available , August 16, 2003.
~ History Learning Site, [Online] Available , August 16, 2003.
~ Education on the Internet & Teaching History Online, [Online] Available http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GEReducation.htm, August 18, 2003.
Books:
~ Ben Walsh, GCSE Modern World History. Arnold: London, England (1996).
~ Fransesc Navarro, José Alsina Clota, and José Basabe among others, Historia Universal Salvat. Salvat Editores: Spain (1999).
By: Joaquín C. Benes
Joaquín C. Benes Level 5 “C”
() History Learning Site, [Online] Available
, August 16, 2003.
() Education on the Internet & Teaching History Online, [Online] Available http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GEReducation.htm August 18, 2003.
