Here and there across Europe, small groups of non-Jews gathered to speak out against Nazi persecution. At the University of Munich in Germany, Hans Scholl, his sister Sophie, their friend Christoph Probst, and their professor Kurt Huber operated as the "White Rose." Together they printed thousands of leaflets, mailing them, distributing them on the streets, dropping them from windows onto sidewalks. Their purpose, said White Rose, was to "strive for the renewal of the mortally wounded German spirit." By allowing the evil Nazi regime to take over their country, the German people were "guilty, guilty, guilty!" the flyers declared. They had put themselves in a "spiritual prison."

The White Rose, who had been enthusiastic members of the Hitler Youth, now encouraged the German people to resist the Nazis in any way they could—from refusing to obey orders to planning and carrying out acts of protest.

It did not take the Nazis long to respond to the defiance of the White Rose. Hans, Sophie, and Christoph—all in their early 20’s—were tried in a "People’s Court," found to be criminals, and sentenced to die. On February 22, 1943, they were beheaded. Hans’ last words before his death were, "Long live freedom!"

Holocaust: A Firestorm Unleashed
January 1942 to June 1943
by Eleanor H. Ayer
Blackbirch Press, 1998
pp. 63-65

The Midwest Center for Holocaust Education’s White Rose Student Essay Contest commemorates the heroic efforts of these young people and their teacher, who gave their lives for the causes of understanding, tolerance, and freedom.

Hans Scholl (left), Sophie Scholl (center), and Christoph Probst (right)
leaders of the White Rose resistance organization. Munich Germany, 1942