Sophie Scholl: The White Rose Movement
Sophie Scholl Sophie Magdalena Scholl, was born in the small town of Furchtenberg, Germany, where her father was Mayor, on 9 May, 1921. Her family were liberal, middle-class, and well-off. Her upbringing, in the confines of her home at least, was untainted by Nazi ideology. This wasn't the case outside of the comfortable embrace of her family, however. Forced at the age of 12 to join the Bund Deutscher Madel (League of German Maidens) she was initially an enthusiastic participant, enjoying the sporting activities and outdoor life. But she soon began to voice criticism of its lack of intellectual freedom and its enforced regimentation. She soon began to tire of it instead finding herself drawn toward more intellectual pursuits, in particular what the Nazi's referred to as degenerate art. Following the outbreak of war in September, 1939, she became a kindergarten teacher in an effort to avoid having to do war work. Unfortunately, war work had become a pre-requisite for University entry, so she volunteered with the Reichsarbeitodienst (National Labour Service). In May, 1942, she enrolled at the University of Munich to study Biology and Philosophy. She was already aware of her brother Hans's dissenting political views and she would often join in discussions about the war. She was, however unaware that her brother was already involved in a organisation that had begun to passively resist the Nazi regime by printing and distributing antiwar leaflets. Han's had tried to shield his sister from knowledge of his activities and when she did find out he tried to dissuade her from involvement, but she was keen to participate. This organisation they named the White Rose. But it was to be short-lived.
Sophie, Hans and Christian It was while throwing copies of their sixth published anti-war leaflet from a third floor window at the University into the courtyard below that they were spotted by a fellow student, Jakob Schmidt,
a Nazi Party member, and reported to the authorities. Christian Probst, a fellow member of the group was then discovered to have a copy of the leaflet on his person. Sophie, Hans and Probst were arrested on 18 February, 1942. They were hastily summoned before the People's Court. It was here that Sophie came face-toface with Hitler's Hangman, the odious and vituperative, Roland Friesler. Sophie, however, remained remarkably calm, in the face of his increasingly hysterical harangues. Maintaining her composure she stated: "After all, somebody had to make a start. What we wrote and said is believed by many others. They just do not dare express themselves as we did". On 22 February, 1942, Sophie, Hans, and their friend Christian Probst, were sentenced to death. The sentences were carried out just a few hours later. They were beheaded. Those who attended the executions spoke of how bravely they met their end. Hans's last words were "long live freedom". Sophie spoke at greater length: "How can we expect righteousness to prevail when there is hardly anybody willing to give themselves up to a righteous cause. It is such a fine sunny day and I have to go. But what does my death matter, if through us people are awakened and stirred into action". People weren't stirred into action and the regime didn't fall as a result of the activities of the White Rose Movement. But the sacrifice of Sophie and the others has a symbolic value as to the imperishable spirit of humankind. Her life was short, for the most part unspectacular, and difficult to assess. Her death is not.