meaning empire; under the Nazis, it referred to the Third Reich, their name for Hitler’s regime, which they saw as the third great German empire after the Holy Roman Empire and the German Empire

a mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time or share an experience together

the process of repeating an idea or belief to someone until they accept it without criticism or question

belonging or relating to the home, house or family

a theory that claimed the human population could be improved by encouraging people with certain traits to have children; the Nazis used this idea to justify racial discrimination

Young people in Nazi Germany

History

Germany before the First World War

Industrialisation, social reform and the growth of socialism

Germany’s naval ambitions before the First World War

The First World War and the German Revolution

The Weimar Republic

Early unrest and the Treaty of Versailles

The putsches of 1919-23

1923, the Ruhr and hyperinflation

Economic recovery under Stresemann

Stresemann's international achievements

Weimar culture 1924-29

The growth of unemployment and rise in support for the Communist Party

The growth in support for the Nazi Party

How Hitler became Chancellor of Germany

The Reichstag Fire and the Enabling Act

Hitler's creation of a dictatorship

The Nazi police state

The Nazi Party and religion

Goebbels and propaganda in Nazi Germany

Opposition and resistance to Hitler and the Nazi Party

Women in Nazi Germany

Employment in Nazi Germany

Work and life in Nazi Germany

The Nazi economy and WW2

Nazi racial ideology and the treatment of minorities

The persecution of Jews

The Final Solution

In this unit pupils undergo a period study that provides an unfolding narrative which tells a story about a period that shaped the world we live in today. They look at the key events, developments, people and stories that defined the chosen period.

Period Studies

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Historic or outdated representations of people that may portray inequality or injustice.

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Depiction or discussion of violence or fighting, including threats of violence or the aftermath of violence.

Match each group with what the Nazi regime wanted from them.

by allowing them to avoid military training and discipline

by encouraging boys to resist Nazi control and ideology

by promoting exciting activities and a strong sense of belonging

What methods did the Hitler Youth use to attract young boys to join?

They focused mainly on improving school performance.

They promoted open discussion and mutual respect within families.

They taught children to prioritise loyalty to Hitler over their own families.

How did Nazi youth organisations affect family relationships?

because it was an optional professional association

to keep their jobs and provide for their families

Why did many teachers in Nazi Germany join the Nazi Teachers’ League?

to explain the layout of Europe for trade

to promote the idea of Lebensraum and expansion

Why was geography taught in a way that supported Nazi beliefs?

{{}} is the process of teaching someone to accept a set of beliefs uncritically, without questioning them.

Birth rates were too high due to poor contraception.

Fewer women wanted to marry outside of their religion.

Women were prioritising careers over family.

What was one major concern among traditionalists about the changes during the Weimar Republic?

Women were expected to produce as many racially ‘pure’ {{}} as possible, to secure the future of the German people.

They encouraged women to avoid motherhood and remain single.

They made marriage a personal and private decision again.

They redefined marriage as a racial duty to serve the Aryan race.

How did the Nazis reshape traditional ideas of marriage and family life?

They were believed to spread communist ideas.

They were thought to threaten male employment.

Why were working women often resented during the early Nazi years?

to attract attention and express individuality

to follow modern fashion trends from abroad

to reflect wealth, race and personal freedom

According to Nazi ideals, what was the main purpose of women’s appearance?

Gertrud Scholtz-Klink was the leader of the Nazi Women’s {{}}, promoting Nazi ideals about motherhood and a woman’s duty to the state.

Starter Quiz