The History of the Leipzig Meuten Youth Under National Socialism

During the time of National Socialism, there were opposition youth groups everywhere in Germany. Leipzig was one of the centers. Up to 1,500 girls and boys met in cliques in the city area from the mid-1930s onwards, outside the Hitler Youth, and rebelled against the Nazi regime.

There were several Meuten in the south of Leipzig: Paul-Gruner-Straße, Arndtstraße, at the Großmarkhallen, and at the Connewitzer Kreuz. In the event, in addition to the Meuten in general, the groups in the south of Leipzig will be discussed in particular – exclusively and for the first time at this reading.

The girls and boys went hiking self-determinedly or met on the street in their neighborhoods. And they became active against the HJ: with leaflets and fights. In smaller groups, they listened to forbidden radio stations and discussed a Germany without Nazis. The Gestapo and judiciary persecuted the Meuten, there were trials before the People's Court for "preparation for high treason," and some were even deported to the Buchenwald concentration camp.

"The History of the Leipzig Meuten" is an impressive and comprehensive testimony of youthful rebellion and the fight for free spaces during a terrible dictatorship. A book about youth cultures, nonconformity, opposition, and resistance.

The author and historian Sascha Lange has researched this topic for more than ten years. The detailed history of the Leipzig Meuten is published here for the first time.