Defying Hitler: How the White Rose Resistance Used Communication to Resist Nazi Rule

Ian Hou

Paper Length: 2480 words

Process Paper Length: 275 words

Process Paper

        I chose to research about the White Rose because their story inspired me. I never knew that there was this kind of active resistance in Germany, least of all in Munich. When I learned the Scholl siblings almost single-handedly caused the Gestapo to postulate a resistance movement funded by another foreign power, I knew I had my topic. This topic relates to the annual theme because the White Rose resisted the Nazis by creating leaflets that spoke out against the regime. They used the written word, a form of communication, to defy Hitler. For research, I tried to look for many books and credible websites but also selectively mined Wikipedia. After I had amassed a good number of primary and secondary sources, I started to take notes. I made an outline for each of my books and then started analyzing the websites. Since this was the first year I participated in NHD, this process was especially time-consuming. When I finished taking notes, I structured my paper and started writing. I also looked at newspapers and other light sources along the way, and was able to finish the project. “Through communication and the written word, the White Rose resisted Hitler's tyranny and strived to enlighten the German people about the atrocities of National Socialism” is my historical argument. My topic is significant in history because it is unique and teaches a lesson. It is unique because it talks about university students defying one of the most oppressive regimes in the world, something that takes incredible courage. It also teaches people to think for themselves and point out what is right, even if they diverge from conformity.

        Allen Gewalten zum Trotz sich erhalten-”Despite all the powers closing in, hold yourself up.”^[1]

On Monday, February 22, 1943, twenty-five year old Hans Scholl scratched one last message on the bare white wall of his cell before being executed by guillotine for high treason against the Nazi state.^[2] His sister, Sophie Scholl, would share his fate. The founding members of the White Rose, a Nazi-resistance movement, used the powerful tool of words to communicate a dangerous truth in a ruthlessly suppressed society. White Rose leaflets urged Germany to “cast off the cloak of indifference” and defy “National Socialist gangsterism.”^[3] 

In the summer of 1942, Hans Scholl and his friend, Alexander Schmorell, wrote the first four White Rose leaflets.^[4] Later, Hans’s sister, Sophie, and many others joined the writing campaign. It was dangerous because the majority of German citizens did not support any resistance against the Reich. The White Rose members exposed Hitler's tyranny and uncovered the reality of Nazi atrocities through a form of peaceful protest, the written word. The White Rose resistance became a significant threat to the Nazis.

The Beginning

Hans Scholl was born in 1918 in Ingersheim, and Sophie Scholl was born on May 9, 1921 in Forchtenberg.^[5] Their father, Robert Scholl, had served as the mayor of both Forchtenberg and Ingersheim. Their mother, Magdalena Scholl, was a nurse and a devout Christian. The Scholl family later moved to Ulm where Hitler had tried to give a speech, but the cord of the microphone was cut. He never returned to Ulm.^[6] This incident is an impactful example of the power of words: Hitler never went back to Ulm because if he could not communicate to the people of Ulm, he could not convince them to follow National Socialism. Wanting to teach their children the power of communication and ideas, the Scholls maintained a free-thinking and educational household. Robert Scholl led discussions on political issues at dinner, while Magdalena emphasized the importance of morality and conscience. They fostered not only critical thinking skills but also a profound sense of responsibility in all their children.

        However, misled by the widespread claims that "Hitler would help his fatherland achieve greatness, fortune, and prosperity"^[7] and attracted by the group’s camaraderie, Hans enthusiastically joined the Hitlerjugend (Hitler Youth) at age fourteen. Sophie joined the Bund der deutschen Mädchen (BDM), the girl’s group in the Hitler Youth. For the first few years, the Scholl siblings felt they were helping to rebuild a weakened Germany. They were excited to wear the Hitler Youth uniforms and camp out in the country.^[8] 

Robert Scholl tried to convince them to leave the Hitler Youth, but in the summer of 1935, Hans was selected as the major flag bearer of the Ulm Hitler Youth for the Nuremberg Rally. At the rally in September 1935, Hans experienced the fascistic atmosphere created from “rowdy, brutal, and anti-intellectual brown-shirted storm troopers,”^[9] saw the true nature of the “‘real’ Nazi activists,” and realized that he was completely wrong about the Hitler Youth.^[10] While Hans believed in individuality, the Hitler Youth “demanded discipline and conformity down to the last detail, including personal life.”^[11] Indeed, Jurgen Wittenstein, a member of the White Rose, said in an interview, “Once I was in a movie theater in Munich when someone made a remark about Hitler. Five minutes later he was arrested. He had already been denounced."^[12] Hans also hated the everpresent invasion of privacy in Nazi Germany. Upon returning home from the Nuremberg rally, Hans shared with his father and the rest of the family how deeply disturbed he was by what he had faced.^[13] Sophie also began to question the group’s ideals.^[14] This became Hans’s and Sophie’s first step away from Nazism.

        Hans soon learned about the Nazi concentration camps and the various disappearances of dissidents. He told his father what he learned. Robert Scholl shared information with his son about the dangers of Nazi rule, and Hans became completely disillusioned with the Nazi Party.^[15] 

Sophie's feelings toward National Socialism also started to harden. In a BDM meeting, Sophie read poems from Buch der Lieder by Heinrich Heine. She was scolded by the leader and told never to read Heine again. She protested, saying “whoever did not know Heine did not know German literature.”^[16] Sophie realized how misled Germany was in following Hitler.

The Turning Point

        On September 1, 1939, Hitler invaded Poland, while Britain and France declared war on Germany. About this time, Sophie graduated from high school,^[17] and Hans served as a medic in a field hospital.^[18] Sophie was accepted by the University of Munich. All undergraduates were required to spend six months in the National Labour Service (RAD). RAD was designed to discourage students from going to university and encourage them to join the war effort. Sophie tried to avoid the service requirement by enrolling in a course for kindergarten teachers,^[19] but RAD notified her in the spring of 1941 that she was still required to join.^[20] Sophie went to the Krauchenwies labor camp, where the young women were avid National Socialists. She tried to keep her distance by immersing herself in books.^[21] After finishing her RAD requirement, Sophie finally arrived at the university where Hans and his friend, Alexander "Shurik" Schmorell, decided they must act against Nazi oppression.^[22] Horrified by the mass deportation and genocide of the Jewish people, Hans and Shurik wrote four leaflets denouncing the Hitler regime and encouraging people to act against it.^[23] The White Rose began to form.

The White Rose

        The first White Rose leaflet opened with the inflammatory words: “Nothing is more shameful to a civilized nation than to allow itself to be governed by an irresponsible clique of sovereigns who have given themselves over to dark urges – and that without resisting.”^[24] The second leaflet detailed the Nazi murder of 300,000 Jews,^[25] and the third leaflet called for resistance from the German people.^[26] The fourth leaflet targeted religious believers, whom the White Rose believed were the most likely to help.^[27] The fifth leaflet was written after the members received advice from Falk Harnack, a more experienced propaganda writer. The sixth leaflet drew on the shocking defeat at Stalingrad. The seventh leaflet also mentioned Stalingrad but was never finished.^[28] Writing leaflets about defying the Nazis was an ideal form of resistance because it utilized the group’s talent for words and targeted the German people, a major source of Hitler’s power and influence.^[29] 

In the summer of 1942, after finishing the first four leaflets, Hans and Shurik were sent as medics to Russia, where they learned of the Warsaw Ghetto and other atrocities.^[30] Upon their return,^[31] Hans and Shurik added more members to the group, including Sophie, who “knew the risks.”^[32] Other notable members included Willi Graf, Christoph Probst, and Professor Kurt Huber. The professor had a profound impact on the rest of the group members, helping them refine ideas and providing them with a safe meeting place. After the defeat at Stalingrad, the professor wrote the sixth leaflet, which showed how the Nazis were weakening.^[33] 

With Gestapo on the lookout, distributing the White Rose leaflets was no easy task. The White Rose members decided to distribute leaflets randomly to disguise their headquarters,^[34] which was located in the studio of Manfred Eickemeyer, an architect who allowed Sophie and Hans to print their materials there.^[35] The group traveled by train at night carrying briefcases full of anti-Nazi propaganda, which was dangerous because the Gestapo and the military police controlled all travel. They placed leaflets wherever people could find them. Though they carried false identity cards, they were still at risk of the Gestapo finding their materials.^[36] Sophie wrote in her diary about the intense pressure.^[37] As the number of leaflets and the intensity of the leaflets’ language increased, the Gestapo and the German public started to notice the White Rose.

The fifth leaflet, A Call to All Germans, shocked the Gestapo. After reading it, Schäfer, head of the Munich Gestapo, ordered Gestapo official Robert Mohr to “push aside all other pending projects and concentrate on finding the authors of the leaflet.”^[38] Mohr’s special task force was created to hunt down the White Rose. The Gestapo desperately wanted to arrest them because the Nazis relied on positive public opinion, not just citizens’ fears of the Nazis. Nazi propaganda was designed to mislead and influence the general population.^[39] The White Rose leaflets tried to expose what the Nazis were doing, which would negatively impact Hitler’s popular support. If the leaflets convinced Germany to defy the Nazis, the Reich’s control over the people would be significantly weakened.^[40]         

Meanwhile, Hans and Alex, swearing each other to secrecy, started an extensive graffiti operation. They painted ‘Freedom’ and ‘Down with Hitler’ on the walls of Munich University. Their operation was very risky since it confirmed that Munich was the headquarters of the White Rose. Later, Sophie and Willi Graf joined the graffiti campaign.^[41]

On Thursday, February 18, 1943, Sophie and Hans distributed leaflets at the University of Munich by placing them outside the classrooms. While the hall was mostly full of students, Sophie decided to drop the leaflets from the third floor.^[42] Many students stopped and stared. Jacob Schmid, a university porter and a loyal Nazi, saw the leaflets falling and ran up the stairs, yelling. He brought Sophie and Hans to the university superintendent, who turned them over to the Gestapo.^[43]

Arrest and Trial

        When Hans and Sophie arrived at Gestapo headquarters accused of the highest treason possible, Robert Mohr did not believe that they were guilty. To Mohr, they seemed to have the perfect Aryan credentials with their looks and backgrounds. Their explanation for the empty suitcase—using it to pick up fresh laundry—was also plausible. However, once the Gestapo searched more thoroughly, the siblings’ pleas of innocence began to fall apart. The Gestapo found envelopes that matched the ones used for mailing the leaflets and an account book that listed names, which led them to Eickemeyer. While raiding the architect’s studio, the Gestapo also found leaflets, postage stamps, and ink cartridges.^[44]         

The evidence was incriminating, so the Scholl siblings switched tactics. They admitted full responsibility for all the materials and assumed the entire blame.^[45] The Gestapo interrogated them for hours, but Hans and Sophie managed to stay calm and insisted that they were the only people in the White Rose.^[46] Unfortunately, their plan did not work. Christoph Probst, one of Hans’s closest friends and an active member of the White Rose, was also arrested. The Gestapo found them guilty of high treason, and all three were sentenced to death.^[47]

On February 22, 1943, Sophie woke up and described a dream to her cell mate, Else Gebel: “It was a sunny day. I was carrying a child in a long white dress to be christened. The path to the church led up a steep slope, but I held the child in my arms firmly and without faltering. Then suddenly my footing gave way… I had enough time to put the child down before plunging into the abyss.”^[48] Else asked her what the dream meant. Sophie said that the child symbolized resistance, a resistance that would live and grow after they were dead. Shortly after, she was led out of the prison, into a police car, and to her trial.^[49] At 10 am, the trial started. The courtroom was packed with invited guests. None of the accused’s family members were allowed inside. She could see Hans and Christoph, tired and pale. Roland Freisler, the Chief Justice, stated the charges against the three. Suddenly, he started to unleash oaths, insults, and attacks at them, raving about their disloyalty to Germany. After his tirade of verbal abuse, Freisler allowed each accused person to speak. Hans said nothing, but Christoph asked for clemency. He was flatly rejected. Before Sophie could say anything, her parents barged in. They begged Chief Justice Freisler for Robert to become their children’s defense lawyer but were removed from the courthouse. The condemned were shipped out to Stadelheim prison to be executed the next day.^[50]

Before the execution, Sophie and Hans were able to see their parents one last time. Afterward, Sophie sobbed in her cell, one of the few times she lost composure after her arrest. As they walked up to the guillotine, they were greeted by Johann Reichart, famous for his swift executions. Forty-eight seconds after leaving her cell, Sophie Scholl, widely regarded as one of the bravest modern heroes, was dead. Fifty-two seconds after her death, Hans Scholl, who dared to resist the Nazi ideology, was also executed. Just before Hans died, he yelled “Long live Freedom!” Christoph Probst, loving father of three children and husband to a sick wife, was dead in just forty-two seconds. Their brave deaths served as a fitting testament to their fearless defiance of one of history’s most oppressive regimes.^[51]

Aftermath

        The Gestapo did not stop searching for other suspects after the deaths of the Scholl siblings and Christoph. On July 13,1943, Professor Kurt Huber and Alexander Schmorell “Shurik” were executed.^[52] Inge Scholl, Hans and Sophie’s older sister, later opened a progressive school where she tried to preserve the memory of the White Rose.^[53] The University of Munich holds an annual White Rose Memorial Lecture with an invited speaker, and the permanent exhibit DenkStätte Weiße Rose tells the story of the resistance group.^[54] News of the heroic actions of the White Rose reached America, and the New York Times stated that the White Rose “raised the imploring voice of youth against a regime that claimed to be a childrens’ crusade.”^[55] Their story has gained worldwide attention and has shown how students can defy even one of the world’s most oppressive regimes.

Conclusion

The White Rose resisted Nazi ideology and used communication as the key to understanding the malice of the Nazi party. Among many stories of resistance against tyrannical and ruthless regimes, the White Rose stands out. These young, brave, and articulate university students dared to speak out against the Nazis when most Germans stayed acquiescent, refused to believe the Reich’s crimes, or supported the Nazi Party.  Even though the members of the White Rose were inexperienced, they were able to evade the Gestapo for a period and fight the Nazi government. Eschewing violence, they were able to communicate their thoughts and ideals while attracting the attention of the German people. The students knew the punishment for defying the Nazis and the danger it could bring to their families, but they took the risk. By using leaflets to communicate the horrors of Nazism to the German public, the members of the White Rose not only exemplified resistance through their use of communication but also showed the shining virtue of human conscience in the face of brutality. Although they failed to stop Nazism, they brought light to the future and will forever be remembered as crusaders during the darkest era in history.

Appendix A

        Hans, Sophie, and Christoph Probst. The photo was taken in July 1942, when Hans and Christoph prepared to go to the Russian front.

Wittenstein, George J. DW. Accessed February 10, 2021. https://www.dw.com/en/sophie-hans-scholl-remain-symbols-of-resistance/a-16605080.

Appendix B

        Chief Justice Roland Freisler, a Nazi fanatic and one of the cruelest judges of Nazi Germany who sent Sophie, Hans, and Christoph to their deaths.

Bundersarchiv, Bild. Roland Freisler. December 9, 2008. Photograph. Wikimedia Commons. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Bundesarchiv_Bild_151-17-15%2C_Volksgerichtshof%2C_Roland_Freisler.jpg.

Works Cited

Primary Sources:

Books

Sachs, Ruth, and D. E. Heap. Coming Together: January 31, 1933--April 30, 1942: the Unfinished Story. 1. Vol. 1. Phoenixville, Pennsylvania: Exclamation! Publishers, 2002.

        This is a compilation of Ruth Hanna Sachs’s research on the White Rose. This source was helpful because it gave me more information on the White Rose and showed me other sources as well. This source was also very useful for cross-examination because this secondary source came from a reputable author.

 Scholl, Hans, Sophie Scholl, Inge Jens, and John Brownjohn. At the Heart of the White Rose: Letters and Diaries of Hans and Sophie Scholl. Walden, New York: Plough Publishing House, 2017.

        This was a book that was composed of the letters Sophie, Hans, and others wrote to each other. It reflects what each person was thinking at that time, which again gives me information that secondary sources cannot. This book was unique from the other sources used for this paper because it offered a perspective into the thinking of Hans and Sophie Scholl. They sent their personal thoughts to many people, which gave me an understanding of their personalities. This book also helped me cross-reference primary and secondary sources.

Scholl, Inge. The White Rose: Munich 1942-1943. Hanover, New Hampshire: Wesleyan Univ. Pr., 1998.

        This book was written by Hans and Sophie Scholl’s elder sister, who would later open a progressive school. This book covers the lives of Hans and Sophie, and it also covers the life of Inge as well. It features diary excerpts, letters, and the leaflets, which also helps with the understanding of the text.

Scholl, Inge. Students against Tyranny; the Resistance of the White Rose, Munich, 1942-1943. Middletown, CT: Wesleyan UP, 1970. Print.

        This book was extremely helpful for my research as it was taken from the perspective of the Scholl sibling’s elder sister, who gave me a more in-depth analysis on the characters of Hans and Sophie Scholl. It spans the lifetimes of Hans and Sophie and gives another account of the White Rose from Inge, Hans and Sophie’s older sister. This is a newer edition of the other book written by Inge for this paper, but both of them were different and could be used to cross-examine each book.

Interviews

Hall, Alan. “Guillotine That Killed Rebels Is Found as Woman Tells How Her Brother Was Beheaded by Nazis.” Mirror, January 17, 2014. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/real-life-stories/guillotine-killed-rebels-found-woman-3033739.

        This article talks about the discovery of the guillotine machine that was used to execute Sophie and other members of the White Rose and also has an interview with Inge Scholl. It also talks about Sophie’s legacy. In 1999 she was named Woman of the Century by readers of a German magazine and in 2003 she and Hans placed fourth in a poll for the Greatest Germans, which shows how the White Rose is still remembered today.

Wittenstein, George J. “Memories of the White Rose” The History Place - Points of View: Memories of The White Rose, 1997. https://www.historyplace.com/pointsofview/white-rose1.htm.

        This is a primary source from George J. Wittenstein, who was a close friend of Hans. He was the person who introduced Hans and Shurik to each other. This primary source is very helpful because it explains why the students rebelled, which was something that secondary sources can only conjecture about because they were not actually there. It also explains how it was like to live in Nazi Germany and why there were no large resistance groups in Germany. He also details that the White Rose was able to rebel because they were students whose ideals were personal freedom and strict adherence to moral principles. They also rebelled because the students came from bourgeois families, which means that they grew up in an environment that opposed Hitler.

Wittenstein, George J. “Memories of the White Rose: The Leaflets.” The History Place - Points of View: Memories of The White Rose - Part Two, 1997. https://www.historyplace.com/pointsofview/white-rose2.htm.

        This is another primary source from George J. Wittenstein. It first describes Hans’s childhood and how he grew to resent the Nazis. It then describes the period when Hans and Shurik wrote the leaflets and the dangers of being in the White Rose and distributing leaflets. He was able to give a firsthand account on what it was like resisting the Nazi system and evading the Gestapo. This is very helpful because it allows me to cross-reference with my secondary sources.

Wittenstein, George J. “Memories of the White Rose: The Russian Front.” The History Place - Points of View: Memories of The White Rose - Part Three, 1997. https://www.historyplace.com/pointsofview/white-rose3.htm.

        The third primary source from George J. Wittenstein is also very helpful. It describes Hans and his friends’ experiences in Russia and how seeing the Warsaw Ghetto changed them. On their way to Russia they spent a few days in Warsaw, which was where they saw the Warsaw ghetto. This was when Hans, George, and Alex realized that Germany had to lose the war to stop this ruthless oppression. Later on in the passage it describes Kurt Huber, who was a professor who helped the White Rose. It also describes Hans and Sophie’s ill-fated trip through Munich University.

Wittenstein, George J. “Memories of the White Rose: Trial and Aftermath.” The History Place - Points of View: Memories of The White Rose - Part Four, 1997. https://www.historyplace.com/pointsofview/white-rose4.htm.

        The fourth primary source by George J. Wittenstein describes the executions of Sophie, Hans, and many more. It also informs the reader how the author himself survived after the Gestapo’s manhunt for the members of the White Rose. It also includes a sentence transcript for the people associated with the White Rose.

Wittenstein, George J. “Jurgen Wittenstein A View From Within the White Rose.” We Loved Deutsch. We Loved Deutsch, May 31, 1997. https://www.welovedeutsch.com/uploads/2/8/9/2/2892062/_jurgen_wittenstein.pdf.

        This was another interview of Jurgen Wittenstein, who was another prominent member of the White Rose. He also offered a brief answer on what it was like to live under the Nazi government and the leaflets were distributed.

Leaflets

Scholl, Hans, and Alexander Schmorell. “Leaflet 1.” Translated by Ruth Hanna Sachs. White Rose Studies. Center for White Rose Studies, 2002. https://white-rose-studies.org/Leaflet_1.html.

        The first White Rose leaflet shows the powerful writing style of both Hans and Alexander. It denounces the German government and includes references from famous German people such as Goethe and Friedrich Schiller. It also exposes the Nazi government’s crimes, which also shows how much they knew about the Nazi government. This leaflet gives me an idea about what kind of books they were reading and how literate they were. This is a great resource for understanding how the White Rose felt about the Nazi political system.

Scholl, Hans, and Alexander Schmorell. “Leaflet 2.” Translated by Ruth Hanna Sachs. White Rose Studies. Center for White Rose Studies, 2002. https://white-rose-studies.org/Leaflet_2.html.

        The second White Rose leaflet further discusses the reason why National Socialism was detrimental to the German people, and it also details factual support. It starts off with a strong argument on why National Socialism was wrong and later talks about the Jews. The White Rose viewed Jews as human beings and the leaflet used the fact that three hundred thousand Jews were murdered to further prove how the Nazis were not fit to govern Germany. It also includes a quote from Lao-tzu, which again shows their range of reading materials. Only Hans and Shurik (Alexander) worked on the second leaflet, and this leaflet was written before they were called to the Russian front lines.

Scholl, Hans, and Alexander Schmorell. “Leaflet 3.” Translated by Ruth Hanna Sachs. White Rose Studies. Center for White Rose Studies, 2002. https://white-rose-studies.org/Leaflet_3.html.

        The third White Rose leaflet also focuses on convincing readers of their ability to change the Nazi government. This leaflet marks the transition from implicitly trying to convince others that National Socialism is not what it seems to explicitly encouraging sabotage and resistance. If the Gestapo found these leaflets, they would have a stronger reason to arrest Hans and Alex because these leaflets actively encourage sabotage, which was considered treason to the Nazi state. This also makes the distribution of this leaflet more dangerous.  

Scholl, Hans, and Alexander Schmorell. “Leaflet 4.” Translated by Ruth Hanna Sachs. White Rose Studies. Center for White Rose Studies, 2003. https://white-rose-studies.org/Leaflet_4.html.

        The fourth leaflet, the final leaflet Hans and Christoph co-wrote together, uses events that happened at that time to serve as examples for their argument. This leaflet employs many more examples, discusses the German offensive in Egypt, and quotes from Ecclesiates and Novalis. It also clarifies that the White Rose was not a group in the pay of a foreign country, suggesting that the authors were in Germany. This is a good resource for tracking what events happened in that period of time.

Scholl, Hans, and Alexander Schmorell. “Leaflet 5.” Translated by Ruth Hanna Sachs. White Rose Studies. Center for White Rose Studies, 2003. https://white-rose-studies.org/Leaflet_5.html.

        The fifth leaflet was written by Hans and Alex after six months of silence. This leaflet does not quote historical figures and is shorter than the other leaflets, but their writing was influenced by Falk Harnack, a more experienced propaganda writer. At this time, World War II was coming to an end and the Germans were losing. Hans and Alex used the fact that the Germans were losing to convince others to start resisting the Nazis. They wrote this leaflet in January 1943.

Photos

Bundersarchiv, Bild. Roland Freisler. December 9, 2008. Photograph. Wikimedia Commons. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Bundesarchiv_Bild_151-17-15%2C_Volksgerichtshof%2C_Roland_Freisler.jpg.

        This is a picture of Roland Freisler, one of the most notorious Nazis in World War II. He served as a lieutenant in World War II, and was honored with two Iron Crosses. Later, he was captured by the Russian army and was imprisoned for two years. During Hitler’s regime, he strongly advocated that “racially inferior” people be punished and treated differently.

Wittenstein, George J. DW. Accessed February 10, 2021. https://www.dw.com/en/sophie-hans-scholl-remain-symbols-of-resistance/a-16605080.

        This is a picture of Sophie, Hans, and Christoph Probst together in July 1942. Soon, Hans and Willi will leave for the Russian front lines where Hans will be a medic. This is one of the most famous pictures of Sophie with her friends.

Transcripts

Sachs, Ruth H. “Gestapo Interrogation Transcripts.” White Rose Studies, 2005. https://white-rose-studies.org/The_Transcripts.html.

        These are the Gestapo interrogation transcripts of many White Rose members, and this revealed how the interrogation of each person connected to the White Rose went. This analysis of the transcripts comes from Ruth Hanna Sachs, a historian who did in-depth research on the White Rose.  

Secondary Sources:

Books

Dumbach, Annette Eberly, and Jud Newborn. Sophie Scholl and the White Rose. London: Oneworld, 2018.

        This secondary source gives a detailed account on the White Rose. The book itself focuses on Sophie, starting with her childhood and ending with her death. It gives me a complete picture of her life, which was very helpful.

Shrimpton, Paul. Conscience before Conformity: Hans and Sophie Scholl and the White Rose Resistance in Nazi Germany. United Kingdom: Gracewing, 2018.

        This book gives a very detailed and complete description of the members of the White Rose, specifically focusing on Hans and Sophie but also including details about the other members of the white Rose, such as Christoph Probst and Alexander Schmorell. This book also started at the birth of Hans and Sophie and ended at the final trial of the other White Rose members who were caught.

McDonough, Frank. Sophie Scholl: The Real Story of the Woman Who Defied Hitler. Stroud: History Press, 2011.

        This book gives a complete account of the White Rose but focuses on Sophie Scholl. The story starts at the beginning of her childhood and ends at her death, giving me not only additional context not in any other secondary source but also confirmation of the accuracy of the other sources.

Vinke, Hermann and Hedwig Pachter. The Short Life of Sophie Scholl. New York: Harper and Row, 1984.

        This book includes many interviews with people who were connected to the White Rose, establishing a complete synopsis of Hans and Sophie’s life and revealing the statements of others who were connected to Hans and Sophie.

Newspapers

“Deceiving the Public.” United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Accessed March 16, 2021. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/deceiving-the-public.

        This article from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum wrote about how Hitler rose to power. Hitler used propaganda to build public support for war that the German citizens did not want and rearmed Germany. This article also explains how the propaganda also built a resentment toward Jewish people and also explained the impact of propaganda at the end of the war.

Halpern, Sue M. “Students Against the Reich.” The New York Times, August 17, 1986, 73-74. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1986/08/17/issue.html

        This was a newspaper article about the White Rose from the New York Times, which shows how the story of the White Rose was not forgotten after the death of many of its members. It also shows that the White Rose has international significance, and how the story of the White Rose was a courageous one.

The Associated Press. “Gestapo Victims’ Kin Teaches Germans How To Think For Selves.” The New York Times, February 21, 1950, 23. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1950-02-21/ed-1/seq-84/.

        This article from the New York Times talks about Inge Scholl, Sophie’s elder sister, which helps with my legacy paragraph, since Inge Scholl went on to teach children how to think for themselves and preserve the memory of the White Rose.

Websites

“1942/43: The White Rose Resistance Group.” 1942/43: The White Rose Resistance Group - LMU Munich. Accessed January 30, 2021. https://www.en.uni-muenchen.de/about_lmu/introducing-lmu/history/contexts/09_white_rose/index.html.

        This source gives a brief history of the White Rose. This source was helpful because it comes from the University of Munich, which honors the White Rose through an exhibit and a talk. The information the article presented was especially helpful for writing the Legacy part of the paper.

Michal. “How Did Hitler Happen?: The National WWII Museum: New Orleans.” The National WWII Museum | New Orleans. The National World War II Museum, June 22, 2017. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/how-did-hitler-happen#:~:text=Hitler%20rose%20to%20power%20through,Allies%20compelled%20the%20new%20German.

        This article gives a detailed explanation on how Hitler rose to and stayed in power. This secondary source was helpful in explaining how communication could topple Hitler, who relied on crowd control and the public’s anger at the Allied forces.

Sachs, Ruth H. “The Leaflets.” Center for White Rose Studies, 2003. https://white-rose-studies.org/The_Leaflets.html.

        This web page gave me a summary of the leaflets and what they were about. This was helpful for summarizing the fifth, sixth, and seventh leaflets since they were only mentioned once.

Sachs, Ruth Hanna. “Their Story.” n.d. White-Rose-Studies. https://white-rose-studies.org/Their_Story.html.

        This web article is from a group that specifically studied the White Rose, and it gives another synopsis of Hans and Sophie’s life. It not only helps with the timeline but also the complete picture.

Spitzer, Tanja B. “Sophie Scholl and the White Rose: The National WWII Museum: New Orleans.” The National WWII Museum | New Orleans. The National World War II Museum, February 21, 2020. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/sophie-scholl-and-white-rose.

        This useful article contains a compact synopsis of the White Rose and its actions, allowing me to visualize a timeline for the formation and end of the White Rose as well as a structure for my paper.