The Nazis introduced social policies and youth groups to gain greater control over German society and indoctrinate youth. Women were encouraged to have children through loans and medals to increase the German population. Boys joined groups like the Hitler Youth to participate in military-style activities and learn Nazi ideology. Girls were in groups like the League of German Maidens to prepare for motherhood. While these policies aimed to influence society, some Germans actively opposed the Nazis or maintained personal identities separate from Nazi views.

2. Volksgemeinschaft
Before coming to power, Hitler
promised to build a ‘national
community’, involving all
sections of society.
The Nazis introduced various
social policies to give them
greater control of Germans.

3. Women in Nazi Germany
Women could get marriage
loans in Nazi Germany – and
some of this debt was written
off when they had a baby.
Women were discouraged
from wearing make up or
trousers, or smoking.

4. Women in Nazi Germany
Women could even get a
medal if they had enough
babies (the ‘Mother’s Cross’).
A scheme called Lebensborn
paired young women with SS
officers to have more ‘master
race’ babies.

5. Arguments for influence
Under Nazi rule, Germany’s
population increased,
suggesting German women
supported Nazi aims.
This would partly help ensure
a strong future for the Nazis.

6. Arguments against influence
The Nazis did not succeed in
fully controlling women.
Many Germans women
continued to work – especially
as war approached – or even
joined anti-Nazi groups. Judith Auer, a German Communist

7. Boys’ groups
Boys’ groups were essential to
win them to Nazi ideology and
also prepare for war.
Boys aged ten joined the ‘German
Young People’ and 14 year olds
joined the ‘Hitler Youth’ to take
part in military-type activities.

8. Boys’ groups
Boys’ activities included
wrestling, boxing, and running.
They would also sit a test about
Hitler and Nazism and be given a
knife (called ‘Blood and honour’)
if they passed.

9. Girls’ groups
Nazis were very sexist and
believed a female’s role was to
have and raise children.
14-year olds the ‘League of
German Maidens’ to learn about
marriage. They would engage in
parades and marches too.

10. Arguments for influence
These policies were also part of
Nazi propaganda.
Having more people join Nazi
groups – and engage in public
marches – created the idea of
universal support for Hitler,
undermining opposition.

11. Arguments against influence
Some Germans also actively
opposed the Nazis, especially
groups such as the Edelweiss
Pirates and Swing Kids.
Others kept a personal identity,
such as through religion and
ignored Nazi views.

12. Control of education
Pupils were taught based on Nazi
views e.g. Biology taught that
Germans were a superior race.
Lessons also split girls and boys,
with boys learning skills needed
for the army and work and girls
preparing for motherhood.

13. Control of education
Jewish teachers were sacked and
other teachers forced to join the
Nazi Teachers’ Alliance.
97% of German teachers had
joined this group by 1936, and
this involved attending Nazi
teaching training sessions.

14. Arguments for influence
Nazi control was about
influencing every part of
society – young and old.
These policies helped the
Nazis control younger people,
but this in turn had an impact
on their parents’ views.

15. Arguments against influence
Many of these policies were
about winning the Nazis long-
term support in Germany, not
the 1933-1939 period.
Indoctrinating ten year olds
was not the key factor keeping
the Nazis in power.