Opposition/resistance

Political opposition

• Communist leaflets attacking the regime and calling for resistance. They were eventually devastated following gestapo infiltration and many leading members were arrested.

• The KPD and SPD formed small groups, staying in contact with exiled leaders and publishing reports.

Church opposition

• The Crucifix Crisis - all Crucifixes in Bavarian schools were ordered to be removed. Their presence showed loyalty to the Catholic church instead of Hitler. This was met with protest (meetings, letters, demonstrations etc) and the order was overturned.

• However, this didn’t actually express dislike of the regime, simply defending their culture.

• Bishop von Galen attacked the T4 from the pulpit in response to the closure of local monasteries. Hitler called off the programme. This was because challenging the Catholics would be an international issue since it has a single leader, the Pope.

Youth group opposition

• The absence of fathers encouraged delinquency.

• A minority actively opposed the regime.

• The Edelweiss Pirates attacked members of the Hitler Youth.

• These groups showed some of the boldest opposition, however it was not a huge worry to the Nazis.

• It was believed to be typical teenage rebellion which they would grow out of as they had to get jobs and join the society that was already captured.

Army opposition

• The July Plot - 20th July 1944

• Participated in by roughly 200 German resisters.

• They felt that Hitler was disgracing Germany and leading it to ruin because of his poor ideas on how to run the war.

• Aristocracy viewed the Nazis with distaste on class grounds.

• It was about pursuing German national interests.

• This attempt is significant because it is coming from within the army, shows the lack of support and commitment Hitler has. They hadn’t bought into his ideas.

• Claus von Stauffenberg- a high-ranking military officer of aristocratic descent – the traditional elite (like many other participants). Snuck a briefcase bomb into a meeting with Hitler in the military headquarters in present-day Poland. He left the room under the pretext of the phone call.

• The blast killed four men. Hitler survived.

• Stauffenberg immediately flew back to Berlin to launch the planned uprising to overthrow the regime.

• The uprising withered when it became clear that Hitler survived.

• Stauffenberg was betrayed and executed that night by firing squad.

• In the following weeks nearly all the remaining plotters were put to death, some in brutal way such as being strung up from meat hooks.

The White Rose opposition

• Munich students led by Hans and Sophie Scholl.

• Distributed ant-Nazi leaflets and attempted to sabotage war efforts.

• Held a demonstration in 1943.

• The Scholls were arrested and executed.

The Kreisau Circle opposition

• Conservative opposition.

• Drew in those critical from a range of backgrounds.

• Aimed to discuss the political and social landscape after the Regime had fallen.

• E.g. democracy.

• Discovered by the Gestapo and the leaders were arrested. They then joined the July Plot.