The Influence Of The White Rose: Nonviolent Resistance

Amidst the ubiquitous violence during World War II, nonviolent protest is often unheard of. However, there were several resistance campaigns that took place in Germany, led by its own civilians. One of such campaigns was the resistance group called, The White Rose. The White Rose was a non-violent, intellectual resistance group that consisted of students from the University of Munich and their philosophy professor. The group became known for graffiti and preparing and distributing anonymous anti-nazi and anti-war leaflets, lasting from June 1942 until February 1943, that spoke out against Nazi genocidal policies. The White Rose is probably the most famous of the civilian resistance groups that developed within Nazi Germany.

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However, in the early summer of 1942, a non-violent resistance group in Nazi Germany began. This resistance group consisted of a number of brave college students from the University of Munich and their philosophy professor. This resistance group called themselves, The White Rose. The White Rose became known for distributing leaflets that denounced the Nazi regime at great risk. In early 1942, Hans Scholl and Alexander Schmorell wrote the first four of six opposition leaflets, called the “Leaves of the White Rose.” These leaflets attacked the Nazi regime and mentioned its crimes, from the genocide of Jews to the oppressor and the destruction of the personal freedoms of Germany’s civilians. Not to mention, the leaflets called the Nazi regime evil and called for German civilians to resist the oppression of their leader. At the bottom of all the leaflets was the phrase, “Please make as many copies of this leaflet as you can and distribute them.” The “Leaves of the White Rose” were left in telephone boxes, mailed to random civilians throughout Germany, and brought by train to other regions of the country to share the beliefs of The White Rose. Out of the first hundred leaflets that the students mailed, thirty-five of which were given to
Nazi Germany was a police state. Whether it was true or not, informants were everywhere. To keep secrecy, membership of The White Rose movement was relatively small. It produced anti-war leaflets that were also deemed to be anti-Nazi. What those in it did was extremely dangerous. If they were captured they would have been charged with treason with the inevitable consequences. This is why the group had to disperse the leaflets quickly and sneakily. The first four leaflets were written in a relatively short time period, between June 27 and July 12. The first four leaflets were left after the members classes ended at Munich University, members of the group would leave leaflets on a desk so other students and professors could read them. The group also distributed the leaflets on trains, in the open outside, and the group even mailed some leaflets to other towns in order to convince a larger population of people that the policies of the Nazis were wrong. Even though the leaflets were the main method of opposition by The White Rose, on February 4, 8, and 15, they painted huge slogans on walls of buildings throughout Munich, including at the university. The graffiti was short with statements such as: “Freedom!” “Down with Hitler!” and “Hitler the Mass Murderer!” The fall of February 1943 was a great turning point in the war and inspired Huber to write the fifth