German resistance to the Nazi regime Anneliese Knoop-Graf and the

Introduction These suggestions are based on the distinctive approach developed by the Institute of Education’s research-informed Holocaust Education Development Programme (HEDP). While it is not possible here to cover every issue connected to the themes in the film, further classroom materials and information about CPD opportunities near you can be found at www.hedp.org.uk

Teaching about German resistance to the Nazis Many educators are rightly concerned about creating anti-German feeling when teaching about the Holocaust. Students should understand the Holocaust as a European, not a specifically German, crime: across Europe there were people who participated in the genocide of their Jewish neighbours. But for many students a common question remains regarding the German population: what did ordinary people know about the Nazi crimes, and what did they do with this knowledge? It is important students understand that although most Germans were not directly involved in the Holocaust, many more were complicit and only a very small minority actively resisted. This film provides a powerful example of some who did resist, and also allows students to see that resistance does not always mean physical fighting, but can refer to protesting through peaceful means – such as the writing and distributing of anti-Nazi literature.

Background The White Rose was a student movement based at the Ludwig Maximillian University, and founded by students and in 1942. They were later joined by fellow students, (Hans’ sister), and Willi Graf as well as Professor Kurt Huber. The young men in the group had all fought on the Eastern Front and had witnessed atrocities taking place. After resuming their studies at Munich they distributed anti-Nazi leaflets and early in 1943 painted anti-Hitler slogans on the walls. They wrote six leaflets in total, and published up to 9,000 copies of some of the leaflets, which were then distributed in Munich and to other universities across the Third Reich.

On 18th February 1943, a caretaker at the university witnessed Sophie Scholl distributing the sixth leaflet and reported her and Hans to the . Sophie, Hans and Christoph were put on trial and executed, by guillotine, shortly after the verdict of treason was announced on 22nd February 1943. Later in 1943 Alexander, Willi and Kurt were also executed. Willi is thought to have suffered months of torture. His family were not informed of his death; they discovered the truth only when a letter they had sent to him was returned, marked ‘deceased’.

hedp The Holocaust Education Development Programme (HEDP) is part of the Holocaust Education Institute of Education, University of London. It is jointly funded by the Pears Foundation and the Department for Children Schools and Families Development Programme (DCSF).

Willi Graf had a strong Christian faith and had been imprisoned in 1938 for being a member of a Catholic Youth Organisation, which was illegal in Nazi . Willi’s sister Anneliese was not a member of the White Rose, although she too was a student at the Ludwig Maximillian University, Munich, where she shared a flat with her brother. Anneliese was also arrested on the same day as her brother in April 1943, suspected of being a member of The White Rose, though she was later released from prison.

Often in cases of resistance we try to identify reasons why one individual might resist when others did not. More often than not there is no simple answer and the choices relate to the individual and the circumstances in which they find themselves. Willi Graff is one such individual: he may have been influenced by his Catholic faith, or what he witnessed at the Eastern Front; some suggest that he may have seen the Warsaw and Lodz ghettos, although there is no certain proof of this. Whatever his motivation Graf, would have known the consequences if he was caught. Anneliese Knoop-Graf spent much of her life after the war speaking about her brother and the White Rose, though she did not discuss her father and his role in the Nazi party; she died in August 2009. Further information about the White Rose can be found at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum website at www.ushmm.org

Suggestions for the classroom The following three stage approach draws upon a methodology for reading sources developed for the activity ‘Ordinary Things?’ which can be found under ‘Resources’ at www.hedp.org.uk Using the source as evidence: what can we infer? • Students should begin by watching the film and trying to work out how Anneliese’s brother had acted against the regime. (Although it is clear he resisted, his sister does not explain the nature of the resistance.) Students might expect that he participated in an armed fight – this could lead to a discussion about what it might mean to resist and whether resistance has to be armed. • Students might also wish to reflect on Anneliese and her involvement in her brother’s life – what impression does she give? Adding the contextual narratives • Use the ‘background’ section above layer in the narratives of Willi Graf and The White Rose. Also introduce that Anneliese herself had been imprisoned as she was suspected of being a member of the White Rose. Reflecting upon the ‘deeper layers of meaning’ • Re-play the film. What other questions do students now have about the White Rose, Willi Graf and Anneliese? How does this short film add to, and challenge their understanding of German peoples’ role at this time, and the term ‘resistance’?

© Kay Andrews, Holocaust Education Development Programme, Institute of Education, 2010

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