Sophie Scholl (May 09, 1921 - February 22, 1943) was a German student and anti-Nazi activist, best known for her role in the White Rose during World War II. Along with her brother Hans Scholl, Sophie became a symbol of courage and moral conviction for her opposition to Adolf Hitler's regime. Her involvement in the White Rose Movement, and her willingness to stand up to the Nazis despite the personal risks, has made her one of the most revered figures in the history of German resistance.
Sophie Magdalena Scholl was born in a small town in southern Germany, to Robert Scholl and Magdalena Scholl. The Scholl family was politically conservative and Christian, with strong moral convictions. Sophie’s father, Robert, was an outspoken critic of the Nazi regime, and his ethics influenced Sophie deeply.
Just like many young Germans at the time, Sophie initially supported the early goals of the Nazi regime. She joined the League of German Girls (Bund Deutscher Mädel), the female counterpart to the Hitler Youth, and for a short time embraced the values of Hitler’s regime. However, after Hans’ and her other siblings’ arrest in 1937 for participating in non-approved youth groups, Sophie quickly became disillusioned. As time went on and once the true motivations of the Nazi government began to emerge, Sophie struggled to see any reason to support the Nazis. She became particularly disheartened by the regime’s rapid militarization and its brutal repression of dissent.
Sophie's personal turning point came in 1939, immediately following the German invasion of Poland. The invasion marked the beginning of World War II and led to her brother’s deployment to the front. Sophie also became involved in the war effort, becoming bogged down by the strict regiment of service. As she corresponded with her boyfriend, Fritz Hartnagel, she became increasingly disturbed by Germany’s aggressive expansionism and its ruthless treatment of civilians and POWs. As Nazi occupations throughout Europe continued, Sophie was also horrified by reports of the growing persecution of Jews and the atrocities being carried out by the Nazis. Ultimately, these actions led Sophie further into a moral crisis, where she continuously questioned the morality of the regime she had once supported.
An excellent student passionate about literature and philosophy, Sophie eventually followed her brother Hans and went on to study at the University of Munich. There, Sophie was introduced to a network of intellectuals and students who shared her growing disillusionment with the Nazi regime. Sophie’s strong Christian values and her deep sense of justice led her to become actively involved in the White Rose, a non-violent resistance group that was formed by her brother Hans in 1942. The White Rose distributed leaflets that condemned Nazi policies, particularly the persecution of Jews, and urged the German people to take action. These leaflets begged ordinary Germans to stand up and end the war.
Sophie was not only involved in writing and distributing the leaflets, but also helped organize meetings and recruit other like-minded individuals to the cause. She was committed to the idea of nonviolent resistance, firmly believing that Germany could be saved if enough people stood up against the Nazi regime. Sophie, along with Hans, was particularly active in distributing the sixth leaflet of the White Rose in February 1943, which urged Germans to rise up and resist Hitler's regime.
On February 18, 1943, Sophie and her brother Hans were caught distributing the sixth White Rose pamphlet at the University of Munich. They were seen by a janitor, who reported them to the Gestapo. The siblings were arrested and interrogated, but they remained firm in their convictions, refusing to betray their fellow conspirators. After a rapid trial, Sophie Scholl, Hans Scholl, and Christoph Probst were sentenced to death for their role in distributing anti-Nazi propaganda. On February 22, 1943, just four days after their arrest, the three were executed by guillotine at Stadelheim Prison in Munich. Sophie was just 21 years old.
