The Hitler Youth was created to support Hitler's belief that we (the children) were the future of Germany. The Hitler Youth also prepared us for the future. As it grew more popular, the Hitler Youth became as important as school to the ordinary German kid. The ages for membership in the Hitler Youth were from ages 10 to 18 (boys usually enlisted for war at age 18.) The Hitler Youth was made to "personify German discipline." The whole movement was overseen by Baldur von Shirach.
The Hitler Youth was created in the 1920's.
In 1933, The membership stood at 100,000. (After Hitler came to power, all other youth movements were abolished.)
By 1936. The membership stood at 4 million members. This is when it started gaining popularity.
In 1938, Attendance was only about 25%.
In 1939, Germany's authorities made a law that stated that attendance was required.
There were separate organizations for boys and girls. The purpose for the boys organization was to prepare for the military. The purpose for the girls section was to learn obedience and prepare for motherhood.
The Different Groups- When boys turned 10, they joined the Deutsches Jungfolk (German Young People.)
When boys turned 13, they were transferred to the Hitler Jugend (Hitler Youth) until they turned 18.
When girls turned 10, they joined the Jungmadel (League of Young Girls.)
When girls turned 14, they joined the Bund Deutscher Madel (League of German Girls)
Responsibilities- The Hitler Jugend members did activities included marching, bayonet drill, grenade throwing, trench digging, being able to read a map, gas defense techniques, finding ways around barbed wire, and learning how to shoot guns (mostly pistols.)
The League of German Girls had to run 60 meters in 14 seconds, be able to throw a ball 12 meters, be able to march for 2 hours, swim 100 meters, and learn how to "properly" make a bed. We learned many domestic skills and got in shape to prepare for childbirth. I do not think that our education mattered as much at this point as long as we kept our race "pure."
More Activities For Girls- Often when we marched through the streets, we would also be singing some of the songs that we had been taught. "Es zittern die morschen Knochen" was the official Hitler Youth song. But another popular song was the Horst-Wessel song. The song that I can remember most was the "Deutschland erwache" song. We also learned about Nazi ideology at Hitler Youth. Weekly we learned about our culture's superiority. Each group had a leader. We always listened eagerly to what they would say, hoping that if we followed instruction that we would be the best.We were in many parades.It had all seemed so happy at the time, we were all so hopeful for the future.
Uniforms (Summer)- Deutsches Jungfolk: Brown Army-like jackets, black shorts, white shirt, white socks, brown shoes, beret-like hats, black tie, black belt.
Hitler Jugend: Similar to the Jungfolk except more patches and a cap.
Jungmadel: White shirt, Navy colored skirt and tie, white socks, brown shoes, black belt.
Bund Deutscher Madel: White shirt, brown jacket, black beret-like hat, Navy colored skirt, brown shoes.
Uniforms (Winter)- Deutsches Jungfolk: Unknown. Likely similar to the Hitler Youth's uniform.
Hitler Jugend: Brown cap, long brown coat, black belt, black boots, brown shirt, black shorts/pants.
Jungmadel: Unknown. Likely similar to the BDM uniform.
Bund Deutscher Madel: Same uniform with long brown coat on top.
(Uniforms can vary.)
The Hitler Youth was created in the 1920's.
In 1933, The membership stood at 100,000. (After Hitler came to power, all other youth movements were abolished.)
By 1936. The membership stood at 4 million members. This is when it started gaining popularity.
In 1938, Attendance was only about 25%.
In 1939, Germany's authorities made a law that stated that attendance was required.
There were separate organizations for boys and girls. The purpose for the boys organization was to prepare for the military. The purpose for the girls section was to learn obedience and prepare for motherhood.
The Different Groups- When boys turned 10, they joined the Deutsches Jungfolk (German Young People.)
When boys turned 13, they were transferred to the Hitler Jugend (Hitler Youth) until they turned 18.
When girls turned 10, they joined the Jungmadel (League of Young Girls.)
When girls turned 14, they joined the Bund Deutscher Madel (League of German Girls)
Responsibilities- The Hitler Jugend members did activities included marching, bayonet drill, grenade throwing, trench digging, being able to read a map, gas defense techniques, finding ways around barbed wire, and learning how to shoot guns (mostly pistols.)
The League of German Girls had to run 60 meters in 14 seconds, be able to throw a ball 12 meters, be able to march for 2 hours, swim 100 meters, and learn how to "properly" make a bed. We learned many domestic skills and got in shape to prepare for childbirth. I do not think that our education mattered as much at this point as long as we kept our race "pure."
More Activities For Girls- Often when we marched through the streets, we would also be singing some of the songs that we had been taught. "Es zittern die morschen Knochen" was the official Hitler Youth song. But another popular song was the Horst-Wessel song. The song that I can remember most was the "Deutschland erwache" song. We also learned about Nazi ideology at Hitler Youth. Weekly we learned about our culture's superiority. Each group had a leader. We always listened eagerly to what they would say, hoping that if we followed instruction that we would be the best.We were in many parades.It had all seemed so happy at the time, we were all so hopeful for the future.
Uniforms (Summer)- Deutsches Jungfolk: Brown Army-like jackets, black shorts, white shirt, white socks, brown shoes, beret-like hats, black tie, black belt.
Hitler Jugend: Similar to the Jungfolk except more patches and a cap.
Jungmadel: White shirt, Navy colored skirt and tie, white socks, brown shoes, black belt.
Bund Deutscher Madel: White shirt, brown jacket, black beret-like hat, Navy colored skirt, brown shoes.
Uniforms (Winter)- Deutsches Jungfolk: Unknown. Likely similar to the Hitler Youth's uniform.
Hitler Jugend: Brown cap, long brown coat, black belt, black boots, brown shirt, black shorts/pants.
Jungmadel: Unknown. Likely similar to the BDM uniform.
Bund Deutscher Madel: Same uniform with long brown coat on top.
(Uniforms can vary.)