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The White Rose Resistance: Exhibit & Event at Scott Library Aug 21

Memorial of the members and leaflets. Set in the ground in Munich, Germany. Image credit: Britannica

Stop by the Scott Memorial Library to explore a new exhibit, The White Rose Resistance, and join us for "Remembering the White Rose: How a Group of Medical Students Took on Hitler" on Wednesday, August 21, from 12-1pm, with Dr. Salvatore Mangione. This event is open to Jefferson faculty and staff. Sidney Kimmel Medical College students are invited to register for a student-focused discussion with Dr. Mangione on September 5. 

Located on the second floor of Scott Library, on the Thomas Jefferson University – Center City Campus, the exhibit features posters and photographs detailing the history and legacy of the White Rose Resistance. The exhibition was provided by the Weisse Rose Stiftung e.V./ White Rose Foundation, Munich.

What was the White Rose Resistance?
The White Rose Resistance was a group of like-minded people against the authoritarian rule of Hitler and the atrocities his government and army committed. Formed in the early 1940s, these brave individuals, many of whom were medical students and faculty, went public about beliefs that could lead to their executions. However, that did not deter them from doing what was right.

Photographs of the main group members. Image credit: White Rose International

White Rose members executed by the Nazis:

  • Hans Scholl

  • Sophie Scholl

  • Christoph Probst

  • Professor Kurt Huber

  • Alexander Schmorell

  • Willi Graf

What did the White Rose Resistance Group Do?
From Summer 1942 to Winter 1943, this main group, with the help from others, wrote and distributed leaflets critical of Hitler, the Nazi government, and the actions of the German military in World War II. Many leaflets were distributed at and around the medical college that members attended.

Leaflets traveled outside of Germany, making headways in Great Britain, Sweden, the Soviet Union, and the United States. Upon being discovered by Britain’s military, the Royal Air Force flew planes over Germany, dropping over 5 million White Rose leaflet over many German cities.

Mugshots of Sophie and Hans Scholl after being arrest by the Gestapo. Image credit: National World War II Museum

In early 1943, motivated by recent German losses in the war, the group upped the publicity of their work. In February of that year, Hans and Sophie were spreading the leaflets around their Munich-based medical college when a janitor spotted them in the act. Hans and Sophie were reported to the Gestapo, where they were hastily interrogated, tried, and ultimately became the first of the six group members executed by the Nazis.

Today, the White Rose Resistance is remembered for its strong values of independent thinking, freedom, and tolerance. They are also looked at as a symbol of humanitarian justice, anti-discrimination, and anti-violence. 

Learn more by exploring these resources from the Jefferson Libraries, and make sure to visit the White Rose Resistance exhibit on July 15:

Bibliography

          The exhibition was provided by the Weisse Rose Stiftung e.V./ White Rose Foundation, Munich.