“We Will Not Be Silent”: The White Rose and Their Stand for Truth

Founding and memebers

The White Rose was an intellectual, non-violent resistance group active in Nazi Germany. It was formed in 1942 at the University of Munich by Hans and Sophie Scholl, Willi Graf, Christoph Probst, Alexander Schmorell and Professor Kurt Huber. United by their opposition to Nazi policies, the group sought to awaken the German conscience.

Leaflet Campaigns

The group’s main activities centred on producing and distributing a series of anti-Nazi leaflets that called for active opposition to Hitler’s regime and denounced its crimes, including the persecution and mass murder of Jews. Between June 1942 and February 1943, the group wrote and distributed six anti-Nazi leaflets.
Initially circulated in Munich, they were soon spread to other German cities.

Why do you allow these men who are in power to rob you step by step, openly and in secret, of one domain of your rights after another, until one day nothing, nothing at all will be left but a mechanised state system presided over by criminals and drunks? Is your spirit already so crushed by abuse that you forget it is your right – or rather, your moral duty – to eliminate this system? – a part of the 3rd leaflet

Graffiti as Public Protest

In early 1943, the White Rose intensified their efforts by painting slogans on public buildings in Munich, aiming to inspire broader opposition to the dictatorship. The most notable slogans included:

“Down with Hitler!” (Nieder mit Hitler!)
“Freedom!” (Freiheit!)
“Hitler the Mass Murderer!” (Hitler der Massenmörder!)

These graffiti actions were carried out in February 1943, and were designed to provoke public thought and encourage resistance against the Nazi regime. The simplicity and directness of the slogans made them powerful tools for spreading dissent and challenging Nazi authority in public spaces.

Arrest and Execution

On February 18, 1943, Hans and Sophie Scholl were caught distributing leaflets at the university and arrested by the Gestapo. Within days, they and other core members were executed after a show trial. Many supporters faced imprisonment or death.
But their leaflets – eventually spread across Germany and even dropped by Allied planes – became enduring symbols of moral courage and resistance.

What We Can Learn Today from the White Rose Movement

Moral Courage and the Power of Conscience

The White Rose teaches the importance of moral courage – standing up for what is right even when it is dangerous and unpopular. Its members acted according to their conscience, guided by ethical, philosophical, and religious convictions, and demonstrated that individuals have a responsibility to resist injustice and oppression.

The Duty to Speak Out

Their leaflets repeatedly emphasized that silence in the face of evil makes one complicit. The White Rose called on Germans to recognize their moral duty to oppose a criminal regime, showing that it is not enough to privately disagree with injustice – one must also act against it.

The Value of Free Thought and Dissent

The movement demonstrated that independent thinking and free expression can survive even under totalitarianism. Through reading, discussion, and critical engagement, the White Rose members broke free from Nazi ideology and encouraged others to do the same.

The Impact of Small Acts of Resistance

Although small in number, the White Rose showed that even limited acts of resistance – such as distributing pamphlets or writing graffiti – can have a profound impact, inspiring others and leaving a lasting legacy.

Enduring Legacy

Their sacrifice is a powerful reminder that dissent matters and that the actions of a few can challenge the conscience of a nation. The White Rose’s example continues to inspire people to defend freedom, justice, and human dignity in the face of oppression.