Sophie Scholl (1921-1943) went from being a member of Hitler Youth to becoming one of the most prominent members of the youth resistance movement against the Nazi regime. While she is not well known outside of Germany, her story is a symbol of the bravery of the resistance fighters.
Sophie Scholl (1921-1943) went from being a member of Hitler Youth to becoming one of the most prominent members of the youth resistance movement against the Nazi regime. While she is not well known outside of Germany, her story is a symbol of the bravery of the resistance fighters.
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This month we’re highlighting prodigies: women who achieved greatness at a young age.
Today’s prodigy went from being a member of Hitler Youth to becoming one of the most prominent members of the youth resistance movement against the Nazi regime. While she is not well known outside of Germany, her story is a symbol of the bravery of the resistance fighters.
Let’s talk about Sophie Scholl.
Sophie was born May 9, 1921 in Germany, the fourth of six children in a Lutheran household. Her parents, Robert and Magdalena, encouraged lively discussions at dinnertime about politics and morals.
Sophie and her siblings took an interest in the Nazi party following its rise to power in 1933. Sophie joined the League of German Girls, while her brother Hans participated in the Hitler Youth program. Their father, Robert, was a staunch critic of the Nazi party and openly disapproved of his childrens’ involvement.
Sophie initially brushed off her father’s concerns. She was excited about the change the Third Reich promised to bring. As time went on, however, she became more disillusioned. After witnessing the way her Jewish classmates were treated, Sophie’s sentiments evolved into disdain.
In 1939, Germany invaded Poland, marking the beginning of World War II. The next year, in 1940, Sophie graduated high school. She’d hoped to become a kindergarten teacher, but in 1941 she was forced to enter the service. Her two older brothers and her boyfriend were all sent to fight on the Eastern front.
In 1942, Sophie enrolled at Munich University, where she studied biology and philosophy. Her brother, Hans, was already enrolled there as a medical student.
Having seen the tragedies of war firsthand, Hans and his friends were questioning the Nazi Party. He and his friend, Alexander Schmorell, founded the White Rose. The resistance group published anonymous pamphlets calling for an end to the war and encouraging students to resist the Nazi regime.
Sophie saw these pamphlets on campus, not knowing her brother was behind them. She agreed with their anti-Nazi stance. Once she found out that Hans was behind these messages, she demanded to be involved.
The White Rose was small, but fierce. Sophie, Hans, and Alexander, along with students Willi Graf, Christoph Probst, and professor Kurt Huber wrote and distributed six pamphlets.
The pamphlets were sent through the mail, using a network of supporters in cities across Germany to get enough paper, envelopes, and stamps without raising suspicion during periods of rationing. The Gestapo, Nazi Germany’s secret police, were tricked into believing the small, six-member organization had locations all across the country.
In 1943, the German Army was defeated at Stalingrad on the Eastern Front. The pamphlets were inspiring conversation among students. More young people were opposed to the war than ever before. The country seemed to be on the brink of change.
No one knows exactly why Sophie decided to distribute a certain set of pamphlets differently than the rest. But one day, Sophie climbed to the top of the university’s main building, dropped a stack down into the central hall, and watched them flutter to the ground. A pro-Nazi caretaker saw her and reported her to the Gestapo.
Sophie and Hans were interrogated. They refused to share the names of the rest of the group, but authorities tracked them down through a draft of an unpublished pamphlet. Sophie was sentenced to death for treason, without even the right to testimony.
She went to the guillotine on February 22, 1943. That morning, Sophie said, "It is such a splendid, sunny day, and I have to go. But how many have to die on the battlefield in these days, how many young, promising lives? What does my death matter, if through us, thousands of people are awakened and stirred to action?"
She was 21 years old.
Within weeks, the rest of the members of the White Rose were executed. A copy of their final, unpublished leaflet was smuggled into the United Kingdom, which the Allies then dropped out of planes over Germany.
Schools and roads throughout Germany are named after Sophie and Hans to honor their bravery. The German mint issued a commemorative coin for what would have been her 100th birthday.
All month, we’re highlighting prodigies. For more information find us on Facebook and Instagram @womanicapodcast.
Special thanks to Liz Kaplan, my favorite sister and co-creator.
Talk to you tomorrow!