The German Youth Movement and National Socialism: Some Views from Britain

Abstract

This article considers the interpretation of the ideological connections (or lack of them) between the German Youth Movement and National Socialism that were presented by Rolf Gardiner and Leslie Paul. Initially focusing on a debate between the two that was conducted in the pages of The Adelphi magazine in 1934, it goes on to consider the development of their views. Gardiner and Paul were probably the most knowledgeable British observers of the German Youth Movement at the time of the debate, and they presented diametrically opposed views. Over roughly the next ten years they went on to change their stance by adopting the position the other had taken in the debate. The article considers the possible import of this debate in the context of wider considerations about the German Youth Movement and politics.