Activity
Historical Background
Hans Fritz Scholl was a central figure in the White Rose, a group of university students who courageously resisted the Nazi regime during World War II. Sophie Scholl, Hans' sister, was a German student and anti-Nazi activist, best known for her role in the White Rose. Hans' military experience and Nazi atrocities led him to question and ultimately reject the regime's ideology. As Nazi occupations throughout Europe continued, Sophie was horrified by reports of the growing persecution of Jews and the atrocities being carried out by the Nazis.
In the spring of 1942, Hans, Sophie and their friends began meeting to discuss their opposition to the Nazi regime. Connected by their strong Christian convictions, they also drew influence from the works of anti-Nazi intellectuals. It was in this environment that the White Rose emerged as a resistance group committed to non-violent opposition to the Nazi rule. Their courage to oppose Hitler cemented the White Rose as one of the most iconic symbols of resistance during World War II.
The group produced and secretly circulated six leaflets between 1942 and 1943. These leaflets were distributed in universities, public places, and through a network of trusted individuals who would smuggle the leaflets to other cities. Written in passionate language which condemned the Nazi regime’s ideology and policies, the leaflets appealed to the conscience of the German people, urging them to act against the government’s policies of hatred and violence.
The members of the White Rose remain symbols of moral courage, and their efforts continue to serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for justice and humanity in the face of overwhelming oppression.
Day 1
Essential Question: What were the key motivations that drove the members of the White Rose to resist the Nazi regime, and how do these motivations reflect broader themes of ethics and morality in times of crisis?
Historical Context (10 minutes)
Video: The secret student resistance to Hitler - Iseult Gillespie
- Video that will serve as an introduction to the lesson's focus on Hans, Sophie Scholl, and the White Rose.
- As students watch the video they will answer viewing guide questions.
- Video Viewing Guide Questions
Group Activity: Early Life and Background on Hans and Sophie Scholl and the White Rose (30 minutes)
- Divide students into groups of three and provide students with reading materials and graphic organizer on Hans Scholl, Sophie Scholl, and the White Rose.
- While reading about the Scholl siblings, students will analyze the individual motivations and contributions of Hans and Sophie Scholl to the White Rose. Students will examine the purpose of and methods of resistance used by the White Rose.
Closing Activity and Exit Ticket (8 minutes)
- Facilitate a class discussion about the significance of the White Rose. Use guiding questions like:
- Why do you think the Scholl siblings were motivated to form the White Rose?
- What risks did they take to spread their message?
- How do the choices made by Hans and Sophie Scholl challenge our understanding of individual responsibility in times of tyranny?
- Students will respond to the exit ticket prompt. Before leaving class, the exit ticket prompt students must answer is: How does the courage shown by the White Rose activists inspire you in today’s context? Can you think of a situation where standing up for your beliefs is necessary?
Day 2
Essential Question: How did the White Rose demonstrate moral courage in the face of totalitarianism, and what lessons can be drawn from their actions for contemporary social justice movements?
Do Now on Propaganda (8 minutes) Online Activity Option
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Students will be provided a worksheet that includes 3 Nazi propaganda posters and questions. They will examine the 3 propaganda posters used by the Nazis. As they view these posters, they will answer one image analysis question per image. After student’s share their responses to each poster, the teacher will lead a discussion that asks students to consider the best way to counter this type of propaganda. The guiding question for this discussion will be: How might ordinary citizens have taken action to directly challenge and counteract Nazi propaganda?
Primary Source Analysis (25 minutes) Online Activity Option
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Provide excerpts from the White Rose Leaflets 1, 5, 6.
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In the same groups as last class session, students will analyze the excerpts from Leaflets 1, 5, and 6, focusing on language, themes, and calls to action. Using the provided graphic organizer, students will answer questions to help solidify talking points for the class discussion activity that follows. Students will be reading, writing and discussing these answers within their groups. Then the entire class will come back together for the classroom discussion.
Class Discussion and Homework Writing Assignment (10 minutes)
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As a whole class, facilitate a discussion on the significance of the Leaflets.
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Potential discussion prompt questions:
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How would you define courage in the context of the Scholl siblings’ actions?
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If you were in Hans or Sophie’s position, what challenges do you think you would face in deciding to resist an oppressive regime?
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Evaluate the effect the White Rose had on German society. How should the efforts of the movement be remembered today?
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The White Rose aimed to raise awareness about the atrocities occurring during the Holocaust. How important do you think awareness is in combating injustice today?
