How successful was Nazi Policy towards Children and Youth

How successful was Nazi Policy towards Children and Youth? (40 Marks) The Nazis expressed their aims and policies very specifically towards the German Youth. They did this by: changing the schools curriculum, to create a new community and society with the Volksgemeinschaft, and to reinforce gender stereotypes and roles. The Nazis main policy towards children and the youth was the establishment of the Hitler Youth and the girls BDM (League of German girls). The Hitler Youth offered rare and exciting activities such as camps, sports competitions and military exercises whilst the girls were learning about motherhood and child bearing in order to sustain the "Pure" German movement. These exciting activities appealed to young children. As a result of this, the school curriculum also changed. There was less academic study and more vigorous exercise. Obviously, this appealed to almost every child in Nazi Germany. Smart uniforms were issued to the Hitler Youth and the BDM. This gave the children a sense of responsibility and gave them a role within the Volksgemeinschaft. The establishment of the Volksgemeinschaft taught children that the welfare and society of the state was more important than social well - being and family. This Nazi policy successfully indoctrinated the youth into that Hitler and Germany was the most important thing in Germany. This made them more committed to

  • Word count: 792
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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To What Extent was Cavour dedicated to the unification of Italy

To what extent was Count Camillo Benso di Cavour dedicated to the unification of Italy in the Period 1848 - 1961? It is suggested that the most notable achievement of Count Camille di Cavour was to preside over the unification of Italy in the period 1848-1861. It was a few weeks before his death, in 1860, that the Kingdom of Italy was proclaimed after many centuries which had seen Italy divided into separate states. Together with others, such as Garibaldi and Victor Emmanuel II, it is unquestionable that Cavour played a major role in the unification of Italy. Cavour's foreign policy (his relationship with both France and Britain) and his early career and beliefs make up the focal points of this argument. However, there is an issue of debate amongst historians that questions how dedicated Cavour was to total unification. Historians such as Mack Smith and Hearder, that question his dedication, express the view that Cavour was more interested in expelling foreign influence and creating a powerful, dominant Northern Kingdom of Italy shaped by Piedmont. They also concentrate on Cavour's poor relationship with other protagonists, such as Garibaldi and Mazzini, to further champion their belief. Those historians who suggest that Cavour's actions showed his dedication to the unification of Italy look at his early career and beliefs shown within 'Il Risorgimento'. Cavour, born in

  • Word count: 3443
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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What effect did World War II have on life in Barking and Dagenham?

What effect did World War II have on life in Barking and Dagenham? World War II brought about many sudden changes for the inhabitants of Barking and Dagenham. Like everywhere else in London, they had to endure rationing of not just food but clothes as well, in June of 1941. We can say that a woman's role in society changed the most. They were encouraged to join the Women's Land Army which was set up in June of 1939, at the start of the war. Their role was changing from dutiful mother and wife to much needed aid for the nation. They were seen to be as important as their men in France. They held everything together even though their families were being torn apart. Fathers, brothers and sons had to become soldiers as young as 18, when the government issued conscription notices. Conscriptions were introduced as there were not enough forces, the first conscription being issued in September 1939 conscripting all men aged between 27 and 41, later a conscription for men aged between 18 and 26 was also issued on the governments orders with many young men never returning. Furthermore, mothers had to tolerate their children being taken away from them and evacuated to rural areas as early as September of 1938. Children under the age of 9 had to live with strangers because of the Blitz going on in London which began on September of 1940 and lasted until April of 1945, when the blackout

  • Word count: 7074
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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What do you understand by the term 'totalitarian state'? Illustrate your answer with reference to Germany under Hitler.

What do you understand by the term 'totalitarian state'? Illustrate your answer with reference to Germany under Hitler Totalitarianism is characterised by strong central rule that attempts to control and direct all aspects of individual life through coercion, repression and propaganda. The state achieves popularity through a strong, charismatic leader. To establish whether Hitler's state lives up to this term, different aspects of individual life, political, social and economic need to be analysed and in conclusion, what extent they live up to being a 'totalitarian' state according to this criteria. In addition to this, there is the debate on whether Hitler was in fact a weak dictator rather than a strong one. If this is the case, the term totalitarian is not accurate. In order for it to be so, Hitler and his state must be seen to be living up to the characteristics and definition of the term, 'The state achieves popularity through a strong charismatic leader.' By analysing social aspects of Hitler's Germany, it can be established whether the term totalitarian is accurate. In terms of social life under the Nazis, 'It was a movement and an ideology that aimed to exercise power so as to transform German society'(1). This argument is expressed by Layton, whose book is used as an A-level resource. Therefore, we can rely on it as being a synthesis of the most up to date

  • Word count: 3679
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Representations of women during WWII

Assessment 2: Research Essay Discuss the various representations of women in WWII. How did constructions of femininity differ from the realities? The unique conditions of wartime played a significant role in changing the social discourses and constructions of femininity in Australia. There was no one singular shift in women's roles, but rather a multitude of new ideologies which emerged. The tensions of these new roles existed simultaneously and saw women discovering new understandings of femininity either in their role as war workers or home makers; while still others were seen as compromising the war effort by fraternising with American troops. Women's roles were reconstructed in an effort to mobilise labour and support of the Australian war effort, and women of all classes and ages experienced some form of change. However, at the end of World War II women's roles, which had been transformed during war, seemed to find commonalities again with women returning to more traditional domestic roles. The pressure of war was felt intensely on the Australian home front; most women were affected in some way by rationing, shortages and lack of services which arose from the number of men who enlisted. By 1942 it became apparent that Australia was facing a significant labour shortage, and the government, after much reluctance, began looking to women as a previously untapped source

  • Word count: 3380
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Book Review - Fascism and the Right in Europe

Book Review Blinkhorn, Martin, Fascism and the Right in Europe 1919 - 1945, (Longman, 2000), ISBN 0-582-07021-X, hardback: 192 pages Reviewed by: Mark-James Fisher Throughout its historiographical revolution, fascism is one controversial topic that is still shaping the views of modern European societies. Martin Blinkhorn is a professional historian at Lancaster University, specialising in the "History of Modern Spain and the wider Mediterranean region and the history of fascism and the political far right in twentieth-century Europe"1. Blinkhorn has produced many publications on the 'history of fascism', including books such as "Mussolini and Fascist Italy (2006)"2. Although unoriginal in its outlook, as part of the "Seminar Studies in History" collection, "Fascism and the Right in Europe 1919 - 1945"3 provides new insight into both the definitions and history of fascism. Blinkhorn aims "to explore fascism in its heyday"4 by exploring fascist and right-wing movements, and fascist regimes both throughout the inter-war period and Second World War, and as fascism was something of a 'metamorphosis'5, ultimately intends to "make some sense of this complex and bewildering collection of conundrums"6. Blinkhorn's historical judgement is conveyed in a well-structured manner because the chapters are divided into sub-sections. This is useful because it allows the reader to

  • Word count: 1404
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Explain the ways in which the British forces prepared for D-Day.

Explain the ways in which the British forces prepared for D-Day D-day involved the biggest amphibious invasion in the history of this type of invasion. The Allies first had to decide where to invade. What the allies needed was a port which could be obtained easily and also a port which would be situated between Norway and Spain. The Allies also had to decide the easiest and quickest way to invade and this was the Pas-de-Calais area but this was to be very heavily guarded by the Germans so they selected the beaches of Normandy instead. Another drawback to the Pas-de-Calais region was that there were no large harbours on a par with those at Cherbourg. Finally the Cossac team, who were planning the invasion, decided on four specific beaches, code named Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. As there were little resources for operation overlord there was a plan to drop two airborne and three land infantry divisions with two in reserve. This plan was agreed in August 1943 in a conference at Quebec. Cossac was lieutenant General Sir Frederick Morgan and his team, the nuts and bolts behind the D-Day operation. They appointed SHAEF which stood for the Supreme H.Q. Allied Expeditionary Force which was headed by Eisenhower. One main operation which would prepare the allies for D-Day was that of Dieppe which caused many problems. It was the first time an attempt was made to land tanks to

  • Word count: 808
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Explain the status and position of European Jews at the end of the Nineteenth and beginning of the Twentieth Centuries.

Alex Kennedy 11E Explain the status and position of European Jews at the end of the Nineteenth and beginning of the Twentieth Centuries For many years Jews had been treated differently throughout the world and predominantly in Europe. Their religion encountered many obstacles. Since biblical times they were made international scapegoats because of their alleged killing of Christ. Throughout this time Jews were persecuted in many regions. The worst prejudices and persecution throughout this time was found in Russia. Jews, also persecuted throughout Europe were soon seen as a different, 'inferior' race and not just a religion. This made Jewish life even harder because you cannot change race. This is based on the anti-semitic ideas produced by Wilhelm Marr. Jews finally turned to Zionism after a controversial book, 'The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion' was published claiming Jews wanted to take over the world. Jews were also outraged by the contentious Alfred Dreyfus case. France was the first country to give Jews full citizenship. After the French revolution the notion of liberty, equality and fraternity offered Jews a relatively normal life in France, where they were assimilated into French society. A Rabbi at the time was pleased to state, "Fortunately in France today everyone is considered French". Although Jews were assimilated and emancipated in France by the

  • Word count: 995
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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During the occupation of Poland between 1939 and 1945 Nazi officials were amazed by the majority's willingness to collaborate, especially in terms of the Jewish final solution. In towns all over Poland violent pogroms erupted and Jewish citizens

In no other country than ancient Israel have Jews lived consistently and for as many centuries in as large number, and with as much autonomy as in Poland1. The late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries brought huge waves of Jewish settlers into Poland, and by the beginning of the Second World War in 1939 there were approximately 3.5 million Jews living throughout the Polish countryside. The Jewish people within Poland lived in a self-contained world, with a unique network of religious, social and political institutions. Throughout their existence in Poland the Jews were faced with numerous obstacles stemming from various external and internal threats. External threats played a decisive role in Jewish history when Poland was unified into one nation alongside Russia to the East and Germany in the West. Each country became guilty of engaging in repeat incursions into the others territory, which created sharp cultural divides. Internal threats occurred with the German Catholic Church preaching anti-Semitism to the Polish population, and industrialization in the nineteenth century established a Polish middle class threatened by Jewish success in medicine and banking industries. The Polish Jews had been the subjects of discrimination, humiliation and manipulation at the hands of their fellow countrymen, but not until World War Two did they think that their neighbours or friends would

  • Word count: 4310
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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How did the Irgun and Lehi differ from each other Ideologically?

How did the Irgun and Lehi differ from each other Ideologically? The Irgun and Lehi were both active organisations in Palestine during the earlier half of the 20th Century, prior to the founding of Israel. Though both these organisations had some similarities between their ideologies and subsequent actions, mostly that violence is the only way to make people listen, there were also several differences between the two. The Irgun being the older and larger of the two organisations, preached the realisation of Jabotinksy's revisionist Zionism ideas and the need for threatening actions in forming the Jewish State. The Lehi, formed by a former Military Commander within the Irgun, Abraham Stern, was the more extreme of the two organisations, pledging to rid Palestine of the British from the group's very conception. The reasoning behind chasing the British out of Palestine followed several attempts to stem Jewish immigration into Palestine by the British, culminating in the 'White Paper' of 1939 (Cohen, 1987: 101), which some described as 'signing a death sentence on the prospect of the Jewish national home' (Sugarman, 2000: 196). Headed by Ze'ev Jabotinsky and created in 1931 (Goldberg, 1996: 201), the Irgun were a military-based group, which never grew to more than about 3,000 members (Goldberg, 199: 201), though this was relatively large in comparison to the later-founded Lehi.

  • Word count: 2176
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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