Sophie Scholl
Sophia Magdalena Scholl (May 9, 1921 – February 22, 1943) was an anti-Nazi activist and a member of the White Rose, which was founded by her brother Hans and his friends.
Contents
White Rose movement
While initially unaware of the potential destruction that the Nazis would eventually carry out as they rose to power in 1933, Scholl eventually began to see the Nazis in a negative light as her Jewish friends were being discriminated against.[1] Her disgust for the Nazi regime was furthered when her brother and friends were arrested in 1937 for participating in the German Youth movement as well as when her father was imprisoned for criticizing Hitler. When she attended the University of Munich in 1942, she began to associate with those she shared the same views with, and later joined the White Rose when she found out about its activities. Scholl was known to have distributed leaflets and spread messages while other members painted anti-Nazi messages on buildings.
Arrest and execution
Due to the extreme Nazi surveillance, Scholl and other members of the White Rose were eventually caught and arrested on February 18, 1943. Facing a trial presided by Judge Roland Freisler, an ardent Nazi, and without defense witnesses called out, she and others were quickly found "guilty" and executed by guillotine. Her last words were:
| “ | “How can we expect righteousness to prevail when there is hardly anyone willing to give himself up individually to a righteous cause? Such a fine, sunny day, and I have to go, but what does my death matter, if through us, thousands of people are awakened and stirred to action?”[2] | ” |
Religious beliefs
Scholl's opposition to Nazism came partly from her family's opposition, but also from a strong Christian faith. Being a devout Lutheran,[3] she frequently read and quoted from the Bible.[4]
References
External link
- Sophie Scholl: The Final Days (Full Film), yuoutube.
