Sophie Scholl, a name synonymous with courage and moral conviction, stands as a symbol of resistance against tyranny. Alongside her brother Hans Scholl and their friends, Sophie was a founding member of "The White Rose," a non-violent resistance group that bravely opposed the Nazi regime. Their defiance came at a steep cost, culminating in Sophie’s tragic and iconic execution by guillotine at just 21 years old.
The White Rose: A Beacon of Resistance
In 1942, Sophie and Hans Scholl, along with a small group of university friends in Munich, decided to act against the oppressive Nazi government. They formed "The White Rose," a clandestine movement that aimed to awaken the German people to the horrors of the regime.
The Pamphlets
The White Rose printed and distributed anonymous leaflets across Germany, condemning the Nazi regime and urging citizens to resist. These pamphlets were bold, filled with messages of freedom, peace, and moral responsibility.
One pamphlet read:
"Isn’t it true that every honest German is ashamed of his government these days? Who among us has any conception of the extent of the shame that will befall us and our children when the veils fall and the crimes of unspeakable dimensions reach the light of day?"
The Scholls and their fellow activists risked everything to distribute these pamphlets in cities, mailing them to strangers, and leaving them in public places. Their acts were a direct challenge to the Nazi regime's grip on information and propaganda.
The Arrest
On February 18, 1943, Sophie and Hans carried a suitcase full of leaflets to the University of Munich. After scattering the leaflets in the empty corridors, Sophie impulsively threw a stack of papers from the balcony into the atrium below. This bold gesture, though symbolic, caught the attention of a janitor who was a loyal Nazi supporter.
The janitor reported them to the Gestapo. Sophie and Hans were arrested on the spot, along with their friend Christoph Probst.
Interrogation and Trial
Sophie’s interrogation was brutal. Gestapo officers tried to break her spirit and force her to betray others in the resistance. Despite the intense pressure, Sophie remained steadfast, taking full responsibility for her actions and refusing to implicate anyone else.
During the trial on February 22, 1943, the presiding judge, Roland Freisler, known for his vicious loyalty to the Nazi regime, presided over the proceedings. Freisler’s court was infamous for its lack of justice, operating more as a tool for the regime’s propaganda.
Sophie’s courage shone even in the face of certain death. She defiantly declared:
"What we said and wrote is also believed by many others. They just don’t dare to express themselves as we did."
The trial lasted only a few hours. Sophie, Hans, and Christoph were sentenced to death by guillotine for treason.
The Execution
Later that same day, February 22, 1943, Sophie Scholl was executed at Stadelheim Prison in Munich. She faced her death with astonishing bravery, refusing to beg for her life. Her final words before the guillotine fell were reportedly:
"How can we expect righteousness to prevail when there is hardly anyone willing to give themselves up individually to a righteous cause? Such a fine, sunny day, and I have to go. What does my death matter, if through us, thousands of people are awakened and stirred to action?"
Hans Scholl and Christoph Probst were executed immediately after Sophie.