The
Nazis used the Hitler youth groups to shape the way the German youth think.The Hitler Youth group was established in
1936 with the original purpose to train boys to enter the Storm Troopers, but
later they wanted to get them involved in the Nazi national committee or to
become soldiers. It became mandatory in 1936 for all children in between the
ages of ten and seventeen to join the Hitler youth and League of German girls. As
the years went on more and more children were registered to attend the Hitler
youth groups. In September 1939 over 765,000 pre-teens/ teenagers had a
leadership role in these organizations. They would attend after school meetings
and go to sponsored camping trips. Both groups combined sports with ideologies
to encourage and convince the youth that the way of being faithful to Hitler is
the only way to live. “Their public displays of these values encouraged young
men and women to abandon their individuality in favor of the goals of the Aryan
collective.” The League of German Girls
used rhythmic gymnastics to persuade young girls because it was less stressful
on their bodies and would prepare them for motherhood.
