How did life change for young people in Nazi

Germany?
One way in which life changed for young people in Nazi Germany was that the school
curriculum changed with the purpose of making them completely loyal to Hitler. He
believed that the support of the youth was vital for the future of the third Reich and
aimed, through the highly controlled education to produce a generation of loyal
supporters of Nazi views and that the Third Reichstag will last for 1000 years. History
was based on the glory of Germany, a nationalistic approach was compulsory. The
German defeat in 1918 was explained as the work of Jewish and Marxist spies who had
weakened the system from within. The Treaty of Versailles was the work of nations
jealous of Germany's might and power. The hyperinflation of 1923 was the work of
Jewish saboteurs and the national resurgence which started under the leadership of
Hitler. Biology became a study of the different races to 'prove' that the Nazi belief in
racial superiority was a sound belief. "Racial Instruction" started as the age of 6. Hitler
himself had decreed that "no boy or girl should leave school without complete
knowledge of the necessity and meaning of blood purity." Pupils were taught about the
problems of heredity. Older pupils were taught about the importance of selecting the
right "mate" when marrying and producing children. The problems of inter-racial
marriage were taught with an explanation that such marriages could only lead to a
decline in racial purity. Geography taught pupils about the land Germany had taken
away from her in 1919 and the need for Germany to have living space - lebensraum.
Science had a military-slant to it. The curriculum required that the principles of shooting
be studied. Military aviation science was studied, and pupils learned bridge building and
the impact of poisonous gasses. Even in Maths pupils were set questions about killing
Jews and other racial things. PE became a very important part of the curriculum. Hitler
had stated that he wanted boys who could suffer pain.PE took up 15% of a school's
weekly timetable. Boxing became compulsory for boys. Those who failed fitness tests
could be expelled from their schools and face humiliation from those who had passed
such tests. Any teacher considered disloyal was sacked. Many attended classes during
school holidays in which the Nazi curriculum was spelled out and 97% of all teachers
joined the Nazi Teachers' Association. All teachers had to be careful about what they
said as children were encouraged to inform the authorities if a teacher said something
that did not fit in with the Nazi's curriculum for schools.
Another way in which the life of young people changed was by brainwashing them in
terms of the relationship with their family members. They were taught to march in
exciting parades with loud bands and to dedicate their leisure time to Hitler and the
Nazis. They were taught that they are not supposed to listen to their parents or
grandparents as they are the future Germany. Young people liked the idea of having

adults under control and after the Hitler Youth was made compulsory from 108,000
members in 1932 the number went up to 7.3 million in 1939. Hitler Youth leaders made
it clear that the first loyalty is for Hitler not for the parents. Children started not
understanding their parents and some were against their views. They ended up
rebelling at them. Nazi children felt slightly alienated from their parents.
Overall the lives of young people changed dramatically by Hitler as he wanted the
youngsters to be the future army, leaders, scientists, teachers etc. The perfect nation
and a Reich that would last for a long time. He taught them not to listen to the elders as
they failed and therefore he gave them power, which gave them satisfaction. This thing
made them loyal to Hitler. Education was another way of brainwashing the young
people. They were indoctrinated and not let to think for themselves. The only allowed
ideas were Hitlers ideas.