• The Hitler Youth and Boy Scouts - an Investigation of the Differences and Similarities, and Their Origin

     

    Essays6 History, Culture

Evaluation:
Published: 01.12.1996.
Language: English
Level: Secondary school
Literature: n/a
References: Not used
  • Essays 'The Hitler Youth and Boy Scouts - an Investigation of the Differences and Simila', 1.
  • Essays 'The Hitler Youth and Boy Scouts - an Investigation of the Differences and Simila', 2.
  • Essays 'The Hitler Youth and Boy Scouts - an Investigation of the Differences and Simila', 3.
  • Essays 'The Hitler Youth and Boy Scouts - an Investigation of the Differences and Simila', 4.
  • Essays 'The Hitler Youth and Boy Scouts - an Investigation of the Differences and Simila', 5.
Extract

Conclusion
To conclude, in the discussion above it becomes visible that the two organizations did have a lot in common, which in large parts can be related to the time. Issues such as nationalism, patriotism, and glorification of military features are clearly linked to the late 1800's and early 1900's. Both the Boy Scout and the Hitler Youth had clear links to these features. The activities found in the organizations, such as shooting or camping, have a clear relation with the ideology of violence and glorification of war that existed at the turn of the century. This is also true of their structure with small units and different degrees marked with badges.
However, there are also great differences between the two organizations which have a lot to do with the intent in which they were created. The Boy scouts were created to be a medium in which one could shape the characters of young boys. The Hitler Youth was created in order to form a new loyal Arian extension of the Nazi party. Due to this the Hitler Youth exercised activities such as extreme marches, informing on others, training in concentration camps and were thought racial awareness. All these activities are directly related to fact that this organization was exercised during a dictatorship.
Therefore, it is possible to say that most of the features found in the Hitler Youth were also present in the Boy Scouts and can to some extent be linked to the time in which these organizations were formed. Even so, just as the Boy scouts were influenced by Baden-Powell the Hitler Youth carry the mark of the dictatorship which created it. One might ask what had become of it if Hitler had not won the election in 1933?

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