Mrs. Sabin's Classroom
Module 4: Growing Up a Child Soldier
Unit Overview:
Students explore World War 2, modern conflict groups, and how children are used to push the group’s agenda. They read Hitler Youth to build knowledge about child soldiers and the propaganda used to create a generation of Nazi followers. Then they engage in a robust research project to investigate how children have been used in warfare through history and throughout the world. Finally, they write a position paper addressing the question: Are child soldiers victims of war and conflict, or are they responsible for their actions?
Anchor Text
"I begin with the young. We older ones are used up . . . But my magnificent youngsters! Look at these men and boys! What material! With them, I can create a new world." --Adolf Hitler, Nuremberg 1933
By the time Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in 1933, 3.5 million children belonged to the Hitler Youth. It would become the largest youth group in history. Susan Campbell Bartoletti explores how Hitler gained the loyalty, trust, and passion of so many of Germany's young people. Her research includes telling interviews with surviving Hitler Youth members.