Jan
23
Die Weiße Rose and its Effects on German Youth (Working Title)
January 23, 2009 | | 1 Comment
I am studying how the White Rose stood up in opposition to Hitler’s Nazi regime and how their actions affected German youth. I intend to prove that the White Rose sparked feelings of hope and excitement as German youth began to question their prior dedication to Hitler and his indoctrinations. It’s important to understand that not all of Germany was under Hitler’s spell, and there were those who faced great peril to fight for their freedom. Some unanswered questions are: What events led up to Hans Scholl’s transition towards opposition? Were there any other demonstrations of resistance aside from the distribution of leaflets? How did they distribute the leaflets without being caught?
My research so far has provided a number of primary and secondary sources. I think the most notable primary sources are the translated leaflets of the White Rose. These leaflets served as the main venue for their resistance and represent the core of their beliefs. I have also come across newspaper articles, a radio broadcast transcript, transcripts on the indictment and sentencing of members, the personal diaries and letters of Hans and Sophie Scholl—two main members of the group, and the memoirs of Inge Scholl, Hans’ and Sophie’s sister, recounting her knowledge of the group and its activities. Another great source is the essay of a surviving member of the White Rose, George J. Wittenstein. I am still trying to locate the interrogation records, which I feel would be very useful for to my research.
I have found four journal articles and five books on my topic. One book, Sophie Scholl & The White Rose, by Annette Dumbach and Jud Newborn, was written by two German authors who reconstructed the story of Sophie Scholl, a main member of the group. The book contains many important primary sources and had an extensively helpful bibliography. I have also come across the book Shattering the German Night, also written by Annette Dumbach, yet this book is an account of the group as a whole, instead of a focus on one member. A journal article I found, The White Rose and the Definition of Resistance, argues the importance of Hans and Sophie Scholl in German history. This source could be helpful in determining the effects the group had on the German people. This research description is incomplete, but I hope it gives you some idea of the sources I have found thus far.
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I am currently working on a similar paper in my history class. The information you have provided here was very helpful to me, so I thank you very much for keeping a blog on your progress. Also, I was wondering if perhaps you had a copy of “The White Rose and the Definition of Resistance” that I could somehow obtain. I cannot seem to find it anywhere on the internet, well anywhere where I can view it for free, and as I do not have money to spare on this, would greatly appreciate your generosity. Thank you so much and good luck on your further research!