Sophie Scholl - 75 Years since her Execution.
Professor Frank McDonough kept our attention from the start - he was a very engaging speaker and his subject was fascinating. Professor McDonough has written many books mainly abut the Third Reich and Nazi Germany, and wrote "The Woman who Defied Hitler"
Sophie Scholl was born in southern Germany, the daughter of the mayor of her home town of Furchtenberg. She and her siblings, particularly her brother Hans, became involved in the Hitler Youth along with nearly all German young people at the time. After a struggle to get a university place, she joined her brother Hans there and their by now anti-Nazi feelings surfaced. Life became very dangerous for them as they formed a resistance group known as the White Rose. there were only 6 key members and they wrote and distributed anti-Nazi and anti-Hitler leaflets in various locations. This caused quite a stir amongst the Gestapo, who were out to track the culprits down. This eventually happened and Hitler made an example of them at their short trial resulting in the death by guillotine of Hans and Sophie in 1943. This is only a short synopsis of the whole story of Sophie, who was willing to risk and give up her life for a cause she sincerely believed in.
Professor McDonough took questions and comments afterwards. It was a very interesting and thought-provoking talk.
Professor Frank McDonough kept our attention from the start - he was a very engaging speaker and his subject was fascinating. Professor McDonough has written many books mainly abut the Third Reich and Nazi Germany, and wrote "The Woman who Defied Hitler"
Sophie Scholl was born in southern Germany, the daughter of the mayor of her home town of Furchtenberg. She and her siblings, particularly her brother Hans, became involved in the Hitler Youth along with nearly all German young people at the time. After a struggle to get a university place, she joined her brother Hans there and their by now anti-Nazi feelings surfaced. Life became very dangerous for them as they formed a resistance group known as the White Rose. there were only 6 key members and they wrote and distributed anti-Nazi and anti-Hitler leaflets in various locations. This caused quite a stir amongst the Gestapo, who were out to track the culprits down. This eventually happened and Hitler made an example of them at their short trial resulting in the death by guillotine of Hans and Sophie in 1943. This is only a short synopsis of the whole story of Sophie, who was willing to risk and give up her life for a cause she sincerely believed in.
Professor McDonough took questions and comments afterwards. It was a very interesting and thought-provoking talk.
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