Question

What happened in schools under Nazism?

Answer 1

The Nazis gave attention particularly to education and they tried total control over the education system. They were well aware that it would be difficult to convert many adults in favor of Nazism because only a minority of German people favored them in democratic elections. The children were a different matter. They were thus determined to mold the new generation to accept Nazi Principles. As the leader of the Nazi Teacher's League, Hans Schemm, put it: "Those who have the youth on their side control the future". As a result, after the Nazis seized power in 1933, they quickly began applying totalitarian principles to all aspects of German education system. Private schools were taken over or closed. Great emphasis was attached on racial "science", often termed as "racial hygine", in Nazi education and this was quickly introduced into the curriculum. Nazi ideology and physical-military training became other important aspects of school program. Many teachers embraced the new Germany, but others were fired or left teaching. Education was really a powerful tool by which Nazis' racial policies were promoted and implemented and Nazis used to monitor, at all times, what was being taught in schools. All the text books were rewritten and had to be passed by the Nazi Party. There was complete control of Nazis on the German education system.