Hitler Youth Research Paper

“They are somehow engaged in something from which they cannot liberate themselves. They are locked into a structure, and they do not have the skills or inner resources to disengage themselves” (Meyer, 1970). During the 1930’s: young boys were trained to murder without feelings of remorse and young girls promised to bear children for the next generation of the “master race”. By adulthood, these children were willing to live and die for Hitler. The question is; why did they decide to follow Hitler? This question can be answered through a sociological perspective. By looking at Hitler’s training techniques for Hitler Youth, several experiments conducted by “experts” and evaluating their effect on obedience and will; we can explain why a good
After killing so many people, these men claimed to simply have followed the orders of their ruler Hitler. They felt no responsibility for their actions, but not because they were evil creatures. In the Milgram Experiment, an experimenter, seated in the same room as the “student/learner”, told a willing participant to continually raise the level of electric shocks received by the student. When the participant questioned the consequences of what they were doing or if they felt like stopping; the experimenter would reply to them with ‘prods’. These ‘prods’ included: “Please continue”, “Please go on”, “The experiment requires that you go on”, “It is absolutely essential that you continue”, “You have no other choice, you must go on” (Doc. B). After , many placid prods, the experimenter was able to create their authority over the participant and student. This sense of inferiority within the participant caused several of them to continue pushing the dial even when it was clear they were causing immense “harm” to the student. Nazi soldiers who were told at a young age that Hitler has authority over them and should be listened to; did so. The results of this experiment explain why. “The physical presence of an authority figure dramatically increased compliance within participants” (Doc. B). Such as participants being watched by an authority figure caused them to comply; Nazi’s who were aware of the all seeing Hitler agreed to kill anyone so that conflict was evaded. “...Most people will obey external authority over the dictates of conscience” (Velasquez, Andre, Shanks, & Meyer, 1988). In addition, people who followed Hitler, trusted him. A factor in the Milgram experiment, that caused obedience was the belief that because Yale (a trusted institution) sponsored the study; the experiment was safe (Doc B). When the people knew a trust worthy and recognized institution was holding the