Who Was In The Camp
The organization was started in the 1920's. Formerly, its leader was Kurt Gruber. In 1929, Hitler was declared leader. By 1933, there was up to 100,000 members. Within three years it amounted to 4 million. In 1936, by law you had to join. You could avoid joining by paying a subscription, but that became impossible. The Hitler Youth was for boys and girls aged 6-21. The organization was made to politically, socially, and racially brainwash the children. Members were trained like boyscouts. By 1932, the youth were temporarily banned by the German Weimar government.
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Boys
The main idea of the Hitler Youth was to prepare the boys for military services, including marching, bayonet drill, grenade throwing, trench digging, map reading, gas defense, use of dugouts, and pistol shooting. Boys aging 6-10 joined the Little Fellows, also known as Pimpf. They mainly did sport type activities. Ages 10-13 joined German Young People also known as Deutsche Jungvolk. They also did sport activities, but with more military aspects.
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Girls
For girls to be in Hitler Youth, they had to be able to run 60 meters in 14 seconds, throw a ball 12 meters, complete a two-hour march, swim 100 meters, know how to make a bed, and be able to stay in the kitchen. Girls 10-14 joined the Young Maidens, also known as Jungmadel. There they were taught health practices and how to become good mothers and housewives. Girls 14-21 joined the League of German Maidens, also known as Duetscher Madel, where they were further prepared for the future as Maiden Germans.
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