Sophie Scholl

Sophie Scholl was a German student and anti-Nazi political activist, active within the White Rose non-violent resistance group in Nazi Germany. She was convicted of high treason after having been found distributing anti-war leaflets at the University of Munich with her brother, Hans. For her actions, she was executed by guillotine. Since the 1970s, Scholl has been extensively commemorated for her anti-Nazi resistance work. Scholl was born in 1921 into a liberal and religious family. She initially supported Hitler and joined the League of German Girls, but later became disillusioned with the Nazi regime. She was influenced by her father, who was a vocal critic of Hitler, and by her friends who shared her views on art, culture and philosophy. She studied biology and philosophy at the University of Munich, where she met other members of the White Rose, a group of students who opposed the Nazi dictatorship and the war. The White Rose produced six leaflets between June 1942 and February 1943, calling for the overthrow of Hitler and urging Germans to resist the Nazi regime. The leaflets were distributed in various cities and mailed to people across Germany. They denounced the Nazi atrocities, especially the mass murder of Jews, and criticized the apathy and complicity of the German people. They also quoted from various sources, such as the Bible, classical literature and philosophy, to support their arguments. Scholl was involved in writing, printing and distributing the leaflets, along with her brother Hans and other members of the group. She also participated in painting anti-Nazi graffiti on walls. On 18 February 1943, she and her brother were caught by a janitor while leaving some leaflets at the university. They were arrested by the Gestapo and interrogated for four days. They admitted their involvement in the White Rose and took full responsibility for their actions. They were tried by the People's Court on 22 February 1943, along with another member of the group, Christoph Probst. They were found guilty of treason and sentenced to death. They were executed by guillotine a few hours later. Scholl's 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?