Key topic 4: Life in Nazi Germany, 1933–39 - 2 Nazi policies towards the…

The idea

The Nazis weaponised the education system to indoctrinate the young, ensuring schools reinforced state ideology. Control over teachers was absolute; the 1933 Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service purged Jewish and politically unreliable educators. Remaining teachers were forced to join the Nazi Teachers' League and attend ideological training camps. The curriculum was radically altered to serve Nazi aims. History glorified German victories and blamed Jews for the 1918 defeat, while Biology focused on eugenics and racial theory to promote Aryan supremacy. Physical Education was vastly expanded, taking up 15% of school time, to ensure boys were fit for the military and girls were healthy for childbirth.

What earns the marks

• Explain how the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service (1933) was used to dismiss Jewish and politically unreliable teachers.
• Describe the role of the Nazi Teachers' League in ensuring educators were ideologically compliant and trained in Nazi principles.
• Detail changes to the History curriculum, which was rewritten to glorify Germany, promote nationalism, and blame Jews for past defeats.
• Detail changes to the Biology curriculum, which was used to teach eugenics, racial hygiene, and the superiority of the Aryan race.
• Note the significant increase in Physical Education to ensure physical readiness for military service and childbirth.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Stating that the Nazis closed down all schools.

  Put it right: The Nazis kept schools open but completely overhauled the curriculum and teaching staff to serve their ideological purposes.

• Believing teachers had the freedom to teach what they wanted.

  Put it right: Teachers were strictly monitored, had to join the Nazi Teachers' League, and were forced to follow the state-mandated curriculum.

• Overlooking the role of Physical Education.

  Put it right: Physical Education was a crucial part of the curriculum, taking up 15% of school time, reflecting the Nazi emphasis on physical over intellectual development.

Exam tips

• Provide specific examples of how subjects like History and Biology were manipulated to teach Nazi ideology.
• Emphasise the dual approach of controlling both what was taught (the curriculum) and who taught it (the teachers).
• Link the changes in education directly to the broader Nazi aims of preparing boys for war and girls for motherhood.