The White Rose, Part 2

In the summer of 1942, the White Rose wrote its first leaflet, a dangerous and difficult task. They had to purchase paper, stamps, and envelopes, expensive and scarce materials. Buying large quantities of these materials caused suspicion. They made less than 100 copies of this leaflet on a manual reproduction machine. They sent the leaflets to themselves, in a test designed to see if the Gestapo would intercept them. They left copies in public telephone books, mailed them to other students, and had messengers deliver them to other universities. In order to defer suspicion from themselves, they also turned some leaflets over to the party.

The first leaflet described the mass murders and urged everyone to work against the "scourges of mankind, against fascism, against totalitarianism." They did not call for active or violent resistance, but rather passive restraint against the Nazi party. The writing was academic and religious, with references to the teachings of great philosophers. This first leaflet included this excerpt from Goethe's "The Awakening of Epimenides." SPIRITS: Though he who has boldly risen from the abyss Through an iron will and cunning May conquer half the world, Yet to the abyss he must return. Already a terrible fear has seized him; In vain he will resist! And all who still stand with him Must perish in his fall. HOPE: Now I find my good men Are gathered in the night, To wait in silence, not to sleep. And the glorious word of liberty They whisper and murmur, Till in unaccustomed strangeness, On the steps of our temple Once again in delight they cry: Freedom! Freedom! The leaflet ended with an appeal for readers to make and distribute as many copies as possible.

Meanwhile Sophie was becoming disillusioned herself. She could not accept that people were losing their lives at the hands of others, even if it was for the sake of their country. When Sophie joined her brother at the university, she discovered his secret White Rose activities and joined the group. The White Rose wrote and distributed three more leaflets, carrying them in suitcases throughout southern Germany and delivering them by hand at night. The fourth White Rose leaflet called Hitler a liar who succeeded at the expense of human lives. This leaflet ended with a warning. "We will not be silent. We are your bad conscience. The White Rose will not leave you in peace."

The White Rose halted its operations for several months after the fourth leaflet. The Nazi party, not knowing what to do with medical students during summer break, sent them to the Russian front to work as physician assistants. On the way to the front, they stopped at the Warsaw ghetto, witnessing horse-whippings, beatings, and random shootings. These images remained at the forefront of their minds, adding fuel to their drive. They decided they must do more.

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