Opposition and resistance in Nazi Germany
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can evaluate the extent of opposition and resistance to the Nazi regime.
Key learning points
- The Nazis had high levels of support and conformity; it is difficult to gauge the scale of opposition.
- Resistance came from scattered groups: workers, youth, clergy, and individuals acting in secret.
- The Protestant Confessional Church formed in opposition to the Reich Church; its leader, Niemöller, was imprisoned.
- The Pope attacked Hitler with a public letter; Catholic priests fought against euthanasia of people with disabilities.
- The Swing Youth and Edelweiss Pirates resisted Nazi control through music, fashion, and secret actions.
Keywords
Compliance - when people obey rules or authority, even if they don't fully agree, to avoid trouble or punishment
Conform - to behave according to the usual standards of behaviour that are expected by a group or society
Common misconception
Most Germans strongly supported the Nazis.
Many complied out of fear, peer pressure, or survival - not necessarily belief. Resistance was dangerous, but still present in different forms across society.
Teacher tip
Use Milgram's obedience study and Zimbardo's Stanford prison experiment to show how ordinary people conform to authority or oppressive roles. Use them to explain why many Germans complied with Nazism and why resistance was so rare and dangerous.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What did the Nazis believe would turn silent obedience into loyal support?
Q2.How did Goebbels and the Nazis communicate their narrative to the German public?
Q3.Match each Nazi propaganda method to its main purpose.
symbolised public rejection of 'un-German' culture
removed access to opposing or 'dangerous' ideas
used powerful visuals to mythologise Hitler
created a constant, intimate presence of Hitler's voice
Q4.Why did the Nazis create the Reich Chamber of Culture in 1933?
Q5.What was the wider purpose of the Nuremberg Rallies beyond just showing support for the Nazis?
Q6.How did the Nazis ensure their voice dominated printed media?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The Nazis created a tightly controlled police state and used relentless to promote loyalty to Hitler.
Q2.Which of the following are examples of worker resistance in Nazi Germany?
Q3.What is the best definition of the word 'compliance' as used in the context of Nazi Germany?
Q4.Starting with the earliest, sort these events in Martin Niemöller’s life into chronological order:
Q5.How did the Swing Youth defy the Nazi regime?
Q6.What does Niemöller’s famous quotation highlight about Nazi Germany?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Opposition and resistance in Nazi Germany, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Opposition and resistance in Nazi Germany, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Weimar and Nazi Germany, 1918–39 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.