Youth is to be ruled by youth — that principle assures the State Youth that no older person, with a memory of things as they were, shall have a say. The twelve-year-old Pimpfe (the clumsy new word of unknown origin which names little German boys in uniform) endure any brutality or injustice at the hands of their fourteen-year-old superior, since in two years they will be bullying a new set of subordinates.
There is a widespread belief that everyone eligible must join the German youth organizations, that membership is enforced by law; children and parents believe this. As a matter of fact, there is such a decree, which commands;
I. Law governing Hitler Youth, December 1, 1936. The future of the German people depends on its youth. All German youth must, therefore, be prepared for its future duties. The Reich Government has decided upon the following law, which is hereby made known. 1. The entire youth of Germany within the confines of the Reich is united in the Hitler Youth. 2. All German youth is to be educated — aside from the education within the home and in school — physically, mentally, and morally in the spirit of National Socialism, to serve the people and to become part of the people…. 3. The task of educating the entire German youth in the Hitler Youth Association is committed to the Reichsjugendführer of the National Socialist Party, who thereby becomes “Youth Leader of the German Reich.” His position is that of a primary official whose seat is in Berlin; he is directly and solely responsible to the Führer and Chancellor. 4. The edicts necessary for the carrying out and completion of this law as well as the general instructions for its administrations will be enacted by the Chancellor.
But these instructions have never been enacted, and with good reason: the law itself stands in direct opposition to the concordat with the Holy See, according to which German youth is allowed to choose between Catholic and State organizations. It has been part of Nazi tactics to break such a concordat with a law, which subsequently is not administered — which never, in fact, becomes a law, but serves its purpose through the psychological effect its pronouncement creates. Later, the statement is made that the concordat holds good; but in the meantime, Catholic associations are done away with, one by one. Their goods are confiscated, and they are attacked by lawsuits and scandal. German youth and its parents are given the impression that it is damaging and actually against the law to remain outside the State Youth. The fiction of voluntary membership remains, however.
On March 4, 1937, Baldur von Schirach published this edict: “All the Youth for the Führer!”
Enrollment of the Jungvolk for 1937. Summons of the Leader of the Reich Youth Baldur von Schirach:
The Youth Leader of the German Reich, Baldur von Schirach, has issued the following summons for the enrollment of
Jungvolk:
German Parents, German Youth!
The day is again approaching upon which a new year-generation ( Jahrgang ) is to enter the service of the Führer. As I do each year, this year I call again upon the youth of the land, on the occasion of Adolf Hitler’s birthday, to enter the ranks of the great organizations of German youth and to take part in the unselfish service and work of the Führer and to do their duty. Last year the result of my summons was that nearly one hundred per cent of all German boys and girls who had reached their tenth year voluntarily joined our ranks. I am certain that the generation now called upon will answer this call equally as a matter of course and will follow this call of youth. The strength and good fortune of the German Reich lies in the fact that its youth numbers millions. No one must stand aside when the issue of making Germany stronger and happier is at stake. There is no greater honor than to serve this Reich. German parents, German youth, recognize the importance of the appeal that is being addressed to you. ALL THE YOUTH FOR THE FÜHRER! ( Völkischer Beobachter, March 4, 1937)