The Hitler Youth | Origins and Development 1922-45
Author - H. W. Koch,Hannsjoachim Wolfgang Koch
Year published - 1976
Published by - Stein and Day
Book Format - Hard Cover
Genre - World War 2 - General
Summary
In Nazi Germany, childhood ceased at the age of ten; thereafter, there were only "political soldiers" of the future. The story of the Hitler Youth from its beginning in 1922 to its end in 1945 is largely the story of the exploitation, corruption, and final betrayal of the young people of Germany. The horrors of World War I led to a renewal of the idealism of the nineteenth century youth movement (the Wandervogel). A passionate desire grew among Germany's young for a radical new society, freed from the old class and religious divisions : a spiritually united Germany, capable of recovering its lost political strength. Eight and a half million boys and girls were led to believe they were dedicating themselves to these principles by their participation in the Hitler Youth Movement. In truth, they were being molded into an enormous reservoir of manpower, physically and mentally primed for the years of total war. How successful was the Nazi effort to indoctrinate the nation's young to its own ends? How important a role did the Hitler Youth play in the making the National Socialist state? H.W. Koch examines the origins of the organization and then describes its emergence, structure, and rise to monopolistic power in 1936. Always the social revolutionary impulse among the young was manipulated by the National Socialist party to its own pragmatic ends and, ultimately, to the all-devouring needs of Hitler. Germany, it might be said fought to the last child.
Notes - Wear and tear on dust jacket
Author - H. W. Koch,Hannsjoachim Wolfgang Koch
Year published - 1976
Published by - Stein and Day
Book Format - Hard Cover
Genre - World War 2 - General
Summary
In Nazi Germany, childhood ceased at the age of ten; thereafter, there were only "political soldiers" of the future. The story of the Hitler Youth from its beginning in 1922 to its end in 1945 is largely the story of the exploitation, corruption, and final betrayal of the young people of Germany. The horrors of World War I led to a renewal of the idealism of the nineteenth century youth movement (the Wandervogel). A passionate desire grew among Germany's young for a radical new society, freed from the old class and religious divisions : a spiritually united Germany, capable of recovering its lost political strength. Eight and a half million boys and girls were led to believe they were dedicating themselves to these principles by their participation in the Hitler Youth Movement. In truth, they were being molded into an enormous reservoir of manpower, physically and mentally primed for the years of total war. How successful was the Nazi effort to indoctrinate the nation's young to its own ends? How important a role did the Hitler Youth play in the making the National Socialist state? H.W. Koch examines the origins of the organization and then describes its emergence, structure, and rise to monopolistic power in 1936. Always the social revolutionary impulse among the young was manipulated by the National Socialist party to its own pragmatic ends and, ultimately, to the all-devouring needs of Hitler. Germany, it might be said fought to the last child.
Notes - Wear and tear on dust jacket
Author - H. W. Koch,Hannsjoachim Wolfgang Koch
Year published - 1976
Published by - Stein and Day
Book Format - Hard Cover
Genre - World War 2 - General
Summary
In Nazi Germany, childhood ceased at the age of ten; thereafter, there were only "political soldiers" of the future. The story of the Hitler Youth from its beginning in 1922 to its end in 1945 is largely the story of the exploitation, corruption, and final betrayal of the young people of Germany. The horrors of World War I led to a renewal of the idealism of the nineteenth century youth movement (the Wandervogel). A passionate desire grew among Germany's young for a radical new society, freed from the old class and religious divisions : a spiritually united Germany, capable of recovering its lost political strength. Eight and a half million boys and girls were led to believe they were dedicating themselves to these principles by their participation in the Hitler Youth Movement. In truth, they were being molded into an enormous reservoir of manpower, physically and mentally primed for the years of total war. How successful was the Nazi effort to indoctrinate the nation's young to its own ends? How important a role did the Hitler Youth play in the making the National Socialist state? H.W. Koch examines the origins of the organization and then describes its emergence, structure, and rise to monopolistic power in 1936. Always the social revolutionary impulse among the young was manipulated by the National Socialist party to its own pragmatic ends and, ultimately, to the all-devouring needs of Hitler. Germany, it might be said fought to the last child.
Notes - Wear and tear on dust jacket
