nonviolent resistance to nazi occupation during the second world war

DenmarkNorway

The Netherlands

Nonviolent Resistance to Nazi Occupation during the

Second World War

•Aims•Methods•Effectiveness

Is it even possible for nonviolent resistance to be effective in any way?

“the greatest failure of Western civilization”

- International Committee of the Red Cross, 2006

DenmarkGermany occupation of Denmark began April 1940 and lasted until Germany surrendered in May 1945

Denmark lacked strategic importance to Germany except as a gateway to Norway and as a propaganda tool – Hitler’s “model protectorate”

The position of Danes at the top of Nazi racial hierarchy also led to better treatment

Hitler said Germany would “respect Danish sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as neutrality” while they occupied the country

Denmark

•Denmark retained its legitimate government and control over institutions e.g. police and judiciary

•Official government position of cooperation

•Danes were not ideologically sympathetic towards Germans, but cooperated for pragmatic reasons

Denmark1940-1943 adaptation to occupation. Resistance movement more marginal

However, some early forms of resistance, e.g. - King Christian X- Community song festivals 1940 gathered 750,000 people together- Boycott of German cultural events- ‘Freezing out’ of Germans- Radio Copenhagen – “Here is the latest German communiqué”

King Christian X rides through Copenhagen

DenmarkSome more active resistance e.g. - Intelligence-gathering for Allies - 1941 Communist Party outlawed – led to organised communist resistance - Anti-Comintern Pact signed November 1941 – Danish anger and spontaneous demonstrations in response

Resistance advanced 1943 - Stalingrad - Election - Strikes and sabotage

Led to resignation of Danish government

Sabotage

Denmark

- 1943 Jews supposed to be rounded up but rescued to Sweden instead. 7000 transferred

- Over 99% of Danish Jews survived the Holocaust as a result

NorwayGerman occupation began after Norway was invaded April 1940, and ended in May 1945

Strategically important to Germany

Puppet government under unpopular Norwegian Nazi Vidkun Quisling (right)

Occupied by 300,000 soldiers throughout war – 1 per 8 Norwegians. Visible threat of violence

Norway – Teachers’ RevoltQuisling intended to create a new fascist Norwegian Teachers’ Union, 1942 – start of foundations for new fascist state

8,000-10,000 teachers out of 12,000 refused to join

1,100 arrested and deported to labour camps

Quisling feared alienating Norwegians further and ordered their release, blocking his plan for a corporate state – Hitler then ordered Quisling to abandon this plan entirely

Norway – Church in RevoltQuisling tried to alter official Church prayer to remove mention of Parliament and the King

Clergy made congregation aware of their disagreement with this

Published a letter criticising escalating violence in Norway:“When those who have authority in a community tolerate violence and injustice and oppress souls, the Church must be the guardian of people’s consciences”. They went on to state that they considered the new administration of the country to be “in conflict with God’s law”.

NetherlandsOccupied May 1940-May 1945

Dutch government and royal family in exile. Led by German Arthur Seyss-Inquart

‘Enforced conformity’ – systematic elimination of non-Nazi organisations

Resistance in small-scale, decentralised cells

Sheltering of Nazi enemies widespread