The White rose Ashley Van Elswyk. Who were they? Non-violent, resistance group during WWII Students from University of Munich June 1942-February 1943.

The White rose

Ashley Van Elswyk

Who were they?

• Non-violent, resistance group during WWII

• Students from University of Munich

• June 1942-February 1943

• Opposed Nazi ideals• Anti-fascist and anti-militarist

• Known for leaflets campaigning against Hitler

members

• Hans Scholl • Sophie Scholl• Christoph Probst• Alex Schmorell• Willi Graf• Kurt Huber

And several others.

What They Did

• Printed 6 leaflets• Leaflets quoted from the Bible,

Aristotle, and Goethe.• Used reason and intelligent

arguments• Distributed throughout Southern

Germany, Austria, and Bavaria. • Graffiti

Isn't it true that every honest German is ashamed of his government these days? Who among us has any conception of the dimensions of shame that will befall us and our children when one day the veil has fallen from our eyes and the most horrible of crimes—crimes that infinitely outdistance every human measure—reach the light of day?

Since the conquest of Poland three hundred thousand Jews have been murdered in this country in the most bestial way … The German people slumber on in their dull, stupid sleep and encourage these fascist criminals … Each man wants to be exonerated of a guilt of this kind, each one continues on his way with the most placid, the calmest conscience. But he cannot be exonerated; he is guilty, guilty, guilty!

With total brutality the chasm that separates the better portion of the nation from everything that is opened wide. For Hitler and his followers there is no punishment on this Earth commensurate with their crimes. But out of love for coming generations we must make an example after the conclusion of the war, so that no one will ever again have the slightest urge to try a similar action. And do not forget the petty scoundrels in this regime; note their names, so that none will go free! They should not find it possible, having had their part in these abominable crimes, at the last minute to rally to another flag and then act as if nothing had happened!

Capture

• February 18th 1953• Scholl’s were distributing leaflets• They returned to the atrium to throw

the rest• Spotted by custodian Jakob Schmid• Arrested by the Gestapo• Other members eventually arrested

after further investigation

First and second trials• First trial was February 22nd 1943• Sophie & Hans, and Christoph stood

trial, and were beheaded the same day.

• Second trial was April 19th • Traute Lafrenz, Gisela Schertling, and

Katharina Schueddekopf added to the trial, originally without attorneys

Third trial

• Third trial was July 13th • Gisela Schertling withdrew her testimonies

against all of the members she had betrayed.• July 13th Alex Schmorell and Kurt Huber

beheaded.• October 12th Willi Graf executed.

After the war

• Survivors were released from prisons• White Rose became symbols of opposition

against tyranny• Alex Schmorell canonized as a New Martyr• Many books and movies made about the

White Rose• http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=x14U3R3-dFE Sophie Scholl: The Final Days trailer.

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