Describe military opposition!

1. Why did members of the military oppose the Nazis? • By the summer of 1944, some senior figures in Germany's military believed that Hitler's leadership was dooming Germany to defeat - many believed that defeat was simply a matter of time, especially after the Russian success at Stalingrad. • members of the military wanted to surrender the war to end unneccessary deaths. • Stauffenberg did not like the treatment of the Jews and other minority groups. • Describe military opposition! • The July Bomb Plot of 1944 involved several high ranking members of the army. • It was led by Claus von Stauffenberg who was an injured war hero. Ludwig Beck and Wilhelm Canairs (Head of army intelligence) were also involved. • The plan was to kill Hitler then arrest key Nazi figures and surrender to the Allies. • Stauffenburg was at a meeting with Hitler and other key officials at the ‘Wolf’s Lair’ where he planted a briefcase bomb in the room with Hitler and escaped. It detonated but did not kill Hitler. • How much of a threat was military opposition? • IT WAS THE BIGGEST THREAT! • Organised, trained, had access to weapons and key members of the military. • Unlike other opposition they had a plan for removing the Nazis.

2. White Rose Group Set up in 1941 by Sophie and Hans Scholl. Issued six different pamphlets to persuade people of the evils of the Nazis. NOT VERY EFFECTIVE OPPOSITION! Edelweiss Pirates Youth group, refused to join Hitler Youth. They went on marches, handed out Allied propaganda and harrassed Hitler Youth groups. NOT EFFECTIVE RESISTANCE AS ON A SMALL SCALE! Civilian Opposition can be broken down into youth and religious opposition. Catholic Opposition Bishop von Galen was head of the Catholic church in Germany. Initially did not oppose the Nazis but spoke out against Gestapo and use of Euthanasia. Became known as the lion of Munster. REASONABLE THREAT! Protestant Opposition Martin Niemoller and Dietrich Bonhoeffer both key leaders of the Confessional Church. Both spoke out frequently against the Nazis. 2/3 Germans were Protestants. Swing Groups Listened to Jazz music met in bars and night clubs and occasionally sheltered enemies of the state. NOT A BIG THREAT TO NAZI RULE!