Sophie Scholl & The White Rose Inspiration

[cafetimes1991]

Those looking for inspiration should research the outstanding story of The White Rose and Sophie Scholl, who distributed anti-Nazi leaflets during World War ll.
From Wikipedia:
''Sophia Magdalena Scholl (May 9, 1921 - February 22, 1943) was a member of the White Rose non-violent resistance movement in Nazi Germany. She was convicted of treason after having been found distributing anti-war leaflets at the University of Munich with her brother Hans. As a result, they were both executed by guillotine.
''Since the 1970s, Scholl has been celebrated as one of the great German heroes who actively opposed the Third Reich during the Second World War.''
''The White Rose (German: die Weiße Rose) was a non-violent resistance group in Nazi Germany, consisting of a number of students from the University of Munich and their philosophy professor. The group became known for an anonymous leaflet campaign, lasting from June 1942 until February 1943, that called for active opposition to German dictator Adolf Hitler's regime.
The six core members of the group were arrested by the Gestapo, convicted and executed by beheading in 1943. The text of their sixth leaflet was smuggled out of Germany through Scandinavia to the UK, and in July 1943 copies of it were dropped over Germany by Allied planes, retitled "The Manifesto of the Students of Munich."
Today, the members of the White Rose are honoured in Germany as some of its greatest heroes because they opposed the Third Reich in the face of almost certain death.''
http://www.raoulwallenberg.net/?en/holocaust/articles/sophie-scholl-white-rose.2786.htm

[phaid]

Glad somebody else is aware of Sophie Scholl and the White Rose group, incredibly brave people some of whom were arrested whilst distributing anti-Nazi leaflets at a University in Munich in 1943. They refused to back down from standing by their ideas even under torture by the Gestapo. They were calling for students in particular to realise that the Nazis were leading their country to certain destruction and ruin, and as we all know with hindsight, the White Rosers were proved right.

There's a German language film that was made a few years ago which is very moving to watch. The thought of overt principled protest by Germans themselves against the state at the height of the Nazi dictatorship is so admirable to me.

Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005)
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0426578/

[cafetimes1991]

Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005)
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0426578/

Excellent film, one of my top ten favourites. :)

[cafetimes1991]

Time for a bump.

[curtaincat]

Time for a bump.

How awful what happened to sophie... trouble is, that is making me lose my happy thoughts. I have to try and get positive again. deep breathing...

still, thanks cafetimes, you are an inspiration to all :)

[cafetimes1991]

Thanks, curtaincat.
If anyone has any questions about the White Rose, fell free to ask me.
Here are some White Rose quotes:

* If everyone waits until the other man makes a start, the messengers of avenging Nemesis will come steadily closer. (From Leaflet 1, urging immediate initiative by the reader. Nemesis of course punished those who had fallen to the temptation of hubris.)

* Why do German people behave so apathetically in the face of all these abominable crimes, crimes so unworthy of the human race? ... The German people slumber on in their dull, stupid sleep and encourage these fascist criminals....[The German] must evidence not only sympathy; no, much more: a sense of complicity in guilt....For through his apathetic behaviour he gives these evil men the opportunity to act as they do.... he himself is to blame for the fact that it came about at all! Each man wants to be exonerated ....But he cannot be exonerated; he is guilty, guilty, guilty!... now that we have recognized [the Nazis] for what they are, it must be the sole and first duty, the holiest duty of every German to destroy these beasts. (From Leaflet 2)

* ...why do you allow these men who are in power to rob you step by step, openly and in secret, of one domain of your rights after another, until one day nothing, nothing at all will be left but a mechanised state system presided over by criminals and drunks? Is your spirit already so crushed by abuse that you forget it is your right - or rather, your moral duty - to eliminate this system? (From Leaflet 3)

* ...every convinced opponent of National Socialism must ask himself how he can fight against the present "state" in the most effective way, how he can strike it the most telling blows. Through passive resistance, without a doubt. (From Leaflet 3)

* We will not be silent. We are your bad conscience. The White Rose will not leave you in peace! (Leaflet 4's concluding phrase, which became the motto of the White Rose resistance).

* Last words of Sophie Scholl: …your heads will fall as well. There is, however, some dispute over whether Sophie or Hans actually said this; other sources claim that Sophie's final words were God, you are my refuge into eternity. The film Sophie Scholl, The Last Days shows her last words as being The sun still shines (however, these are probably fictitious).

* Last words of Hans Scholl: Es lebe die Freiheit! (Long live freedom!).

* Now my death will be easy and joyful. These were the words of Christoph Probst after a Catholic priest conditionally (sub conditione) baptized him and had heard his first Confession.

[januspolanski]

* ...why do you allow these men who are in power to rob you step by step, openly and in secret, of one domain of your rights after another, until one day nothing, nothing at all will be left but a mechanised state system presided over by criminals and drunks? Is your spirit already so crushed by abuse that you forget it is your right - or rather, your moral duty - to eliminate this system? (From Leaflet 3)


True of Todays society. I watched the film, it was excellent. I cannot imagine the terror of having been caught and finding out that you are to be executed the same day of your trial.