Opposition to the Nazi regime Cambridge IGCSE History revision
Not started
Learn it
In plain words
There was no revolution against Hitler, and it is easy to conclude that nobody objected. Some did, and paid with their lives. The harder question is why there were so few of them.
8 things to know
- Open opposition was rare. Why: the terror of the SS and the Gestapo made it extremely dangerous. Propaganda and censorship hid the truth. And many Germans approved of what Hitler had done, in giving them jobs, order and national pride.
- The Nazis dealt with their political opponents first. The Communist and Social Democratic parties were banned, and their leaders were imprisoned or fled abroad. Trade unions were abolished. Small groups went on secretly printing leaflets.
- The Churches: Hitler made an agreement with the Catholic Church in 1933, and then broke it. Some churchmen spoke out. The Protestant pastor Martin Niemöller was sent to a concentration camp. The Catholic bishop Galen publicly condemned the killing of disabled people in 1941.
- Young people: the Edelweiss Pirates were working-class teenagers who refused to join the Hitler Youth and fought with its patrols. The Swing Youth listened to banned jazz music.
- The White Rose was a group of students at Munich University, led by Hans and Sophie Scholl. They handed out leaflets against the Nazis. They were caught and executed in 1943.
- The army: some officers came to believe that Hitler was leading Germany to ruin. In the July Bomb Plot of 1944, Colonel von Stauffenberg left a bomb in Hitler's headquarters. Hitler survived, and thousands were executed in revenge.
- Most opposition took quiet forms: telling jokes about the Nazis, listening to foreign radio, or refusing to give the Hitler salute.
- Opposition never came close to overthrowing Hitler. It was divided, it had no leader, and it was up against a ruthless police state.
Worked example
Explain why there was so little open opposition to the Nazis. This is a 6-mark question.
- Terror: opponents faced arrest, the camps or death, and informers were everywhere.
- Popularity: many Germans gained from Nazi rule, through jobs and restored pride, and saw no reason to resist.
- Control of information and organisation: propaganda hid the truth, and with parties and unions banned, there was nothing through which to organise resistance.
Tips and tricks
- Group the opposition under four headings: political, churches, youth, army. Have one example for each.
- Use both halves of the explanation: fear, and real support. An answer with only fear is incomplete.
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
Opposition to the Nazi regime: 5 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
Which group was led by Hans and Sophie Scholl?
They were students in Munich.
Who planted the bomb in the July Bomb Plot?
Hitler survived the explosion.
Who were the Edelweiss Pirates?
They fought with Hitler Youth patrols.
What did Bishop Galen protest against?
He spoke out in 1941.
Why did opposition from the army come so late?Stretch
Officers acted once the war was clearly being lost.
Quiz
5 questions
Tap an answer and you’ll see straight away whether it’s right, and why.
Worksheet
3 questions, 14 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
Opposition to the Nazi regime
Cambridge IGCSE History 0470 · 14 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
Who were the White Rose group?[4]
Show answerHide answer
They were students at Munich University who opposed the Nazis. They were led by Hans and Sophie Scholl. They wrote and handed out leaflets attacking the regime and the war. They were arrested in 1943 and executed.
What was the July Bomb Plot?[4]
Show answerHide answer
It was an attempt by army officers to kill Hitler in July 1944. Colonel von Stauffenberg left a bomb in a briefcase at Hitler's headquarters. The bomb exploded, but Hitler survived. Thousands of people were arrested and executed in revenge.
How effectively did the Nazis deal with their political opponents?[6]
Show answerHide answer
Very effectively. Within months of taking power they had banned the Communist Party and the Social Democrats, and arrested thousands of their members. Trade unions were abolished in May 1933, and all other parties were banned by July. Leaders were imprisoned in camps or driven abroad. Only small, secret groups were left, and they could do little.
Answers: Opposition to the Nazi regime
- 1. They were students at Munich University who opposed the Nazis. They were led by Hans and Sophie Scholl. They wrote and handed out leaflets attacking the regime and the war. They were arrested in 1943 and executed.
- 2. It was an attempt by army officers to kill Hitler in July 1944. Colonel von Stauffenberg left a bomb in a briefcase at Hitler's headquarters. The bomb exploded, but Hitler survived. Thousands of people were arrested and executed in revenge.
- 3. Very effectively. Within months of taking power they had banned the Communist Party and the Social Democrats, and arrested thousands of their members. Trade unions were abolished in May 1933, and all other parties were banned by July. Leaders were imprisoned in camps or driven abroad. Only small, secret groups were left, and they could do little.