Part I: The Predecessors (1923-1926)

The Hitler Youth didn't just evolve out of nothing: it was originally the youth movement of the German Workers' Party, which was formed in 1919. It was renamed National Socialist German Workers' Party by Hitler in 1920, and later on Adolf Hitler Boy's Storm Troop, and then finally Hitler Youth.
The Hitler Youth was part of Hitler's belief that the future of Nazi Germany was in its children. To some children it wan as important as school. It contained kids 10-18 years of age. Lots of leaders have given the thought that their nation's future lies within the hands of its youth, but none of them believed it or acted on it as intently as Hitler. He saw an entire generation of faithful fighter pilots and panzer commanders to extend the complete control of the Reich.
Baldur Von Shirach joined the Nazi Party in 1925 and was involved early on with converting students to National Socialism. This was the beginning of his activities. He was the leading Nazi for destroying independent youth organizations and building the Hitler Youth. It was his job to pass Nazi regime through the minds of the children.
The Hitler Youth was a German national movement. It was difficult for it to be an international movement because it was named after Hitler, who thought Germany to be the "alpha nation" of the world.
The Hitler Youth banner was black with one rune, which was a contrast to the SS flag, which had two runes. Although boys could carry the Hitler Youth banner, they were never known to carry the swastica flag.

 

Part II: The Early Years (1926-1932)

The kids were separated by sex: the boys prepared for military  service, while the girls were prepared for motherhood. Boys joined the Deutches  Jongvolk (German Young People) until they turned 13, when they where transferred to the Hitler Jugend (Hitler Youth). Girls joined the Jungmadelbund (League of Young Girls), and at 14 were transferred to the Bund Deutcher (League of German Girls). 

The boys had to be able to march, bayonet drill, throw grenades, dig trenches, read maps, use gas, use dugouts, get under barber wire, and shoot pistols. Girls had to be able to  run 60 meters in 14 seconds, throw a shot-put 12 meters, know how to make a bed, complete 2 hour marches, and swim 100 meters.
The Hitler Youth seemed to personify German discipline to the outside world, but that wasn't even close to correct. Teachers said that children could hardly stay awake because of evening Hitler Youth meetings.
Boys were encouraged to question or reject authority figures: parents, church leaders, teachers, ect; however, they had to accept Nazi rules without question.
When children in the Hitler Youth turned 15 they finished school and took up an occupation, gained to have their freedom of conscience and was allowed to make their inner beliefs public.
During this time the Hitler Youth competed with many other youth groups, and by 1933, had gotten 1,000,000 more children. About 25% of children enrolled.

 

Part III: The Government Years (1933-1939)

When the number of members grew to large, Baldur Von Shirach put the kids in leadership schools. In leadership schools,  the kids were told they were not just a group of kids marching un unison, but soldiers with their own ideas.
1934: The Year of Training. In leadership schools, the kids learned vocational training until October, when they were sent to the country to harvest the crops so they'd learn the value of hard work and its rewards.
1935: The Year of Physical Training. The Hitler Youth had sport competitions and gladiator like fitness standards. They often played War games and started brawls.
In 1936 Baldur Von Shirach's goal was to enroll the entire 10 year old population as a present for Hitler's 47th birthday. This year was called "The Year of the Jungvolk." Lots of pressure was put on kids at school and home. They were pursued by individual Hitler Youths.
Every leadership classroom had a picture of Hitler which some students prayed to. It also had a picture of a Jew, and when the teacher would bring a Jew to class he would use his pointer to show the kids certain physical traits that a Jew could be recognized by.

 

Part IV: The War Years (1940-1939)

Before the war most kids were happy to join the Hitler Youth because of the games, camping, songs, and fun activities, and it was also a way of escaping your parents and school. Hitler Youth leaders were often in conflict with authorities was another element that motivated kids to join.
On September 1, 1939, Hitler invaded Poland. Six years of war were to come with full participation of all Hitler Youth members. At the beginning of the war, the Hitler Youth had 8.8 million, but when over 1,000,000 marched to war, it was drastically lowered.
The Hitler Youth was more directly involved during the war than the Scouts in allied countries. The Hitler Youth did many things that the scouts did. like collecting scrap metal, but they also did much more. The Hitler Youth conducted many training programs, indoctrinated boy, and recruited future Nazi leaders. Eventually they served as air raid wardens and crews on AA gun crews.

 

Part V: The Fall (Conclusion)

Hitler Youth groups were captured and brought to Dachau. After seeing all the dead bodies filling it, the boys were changed forever.
The Hitler Youth members surrendered in May 1945, and went back to ordinary civilians. It was hard for the high ranking officers to go back to mere schoolboys. Adult leaders were tried at Nuremberg, and the French tried some Hitler Youth members. Shirach was hung. The Americans and British refused to trial anybody.

 

Bibliography