Operation Valkyrie

Definition

Operation Valkyrie was a secret plan developed by German military officers during World War II to assassinate Adolf Hitler and overthrow the Nazi regime. The plan aimed to take control of Berlin and the German government in the event of Hitler's death or incapacitation. While it was designed to restore a stable government and negotiate peace, its failure ultimately contributed to the ongoing atrocities, including those related to the Holocaust.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Operation Valkyrie was conceived in response to fears that Hitler's death could lead to chaos and further strengthen the SS and Gestapo's power.
2. The plan involved a series of contingencies that included the mobilization of reserve army units to maintain order after the assassination.
3. The July 20 Plot, which was part of Operation Valkyrie, ultimately failed when the bomb did not kill Hitler as intended.
4. Following the failed assassination attempt, many conspirators were arrested and executed, marking a severe crackdown on dissent within Germany.
5. Despite its failure, Operation Valkyrie highlighted internal opposition to Hitler and foreshadowed later resistance efforts against the Nazi regime.

Review Questions

• How did Operation Valkyrie illustrate the internal dissent within Germany against Hitler's regime?
  • Operation Valkyrie showed that there were significant factions within Germany that opposed Hitler's rule and sought to restore peace. This dissent came from military officers and civilians who were increasingly disturbed by the violence and atrocities being committed under the Nazi regime, particularly those related to the Holocaust. The plan's development indicated that some Germans were willing to risk everything to challenge Hitler and end the war in a more humane way.
• Evaluate the impact of the July 20 Plot on the German Resistance movement and its implications for Nazi control.
  • The July 20 Plot had profound implications for the German Resistance movement as it marked one of the most organized attempts to remove Hitler from power. The failure of this plot led to severe reprisals against those involved and an increased atmosphere of fear and repression in Germany. Consequently, this discouraged further organized resistance efforts while simultaneously demonstrating that significant segments of German society were willing to risk their lives to oppose Nazi tyranny.
• Analyze how Operation Valkyrie and its failure contributed to the broader narrative of World War II, particularly regarding moral choices made by individuals within Nazi Germany.
  • Operation Valkyrie and its failure highlighted critical moral dilemmas faced by individuals within Nazi Germany. The conspirators believed that assassinating Hitler was necessary to halt the war and save lives from further genocide, including the horrors of the Holocaust. Their actions underscored a struggle between loyalty to a corrupt regime and ethical responsibility towards humanity. Ultimately, this conflict mirrors broader themes of complicity versus resistance throughout World War II as various groups grappled with their roles amidst unprecedented atrocities.

Related terms

July 20 Plot: The July 20 Plot was the most famous attempt to assassinate Hitler as part of Operation Valkyrie, occurring in 1944 when a bomb was detonated at a meeting in his Wolf's Lair headquarters.

German Resistance: The German Resistance comprised various groups opposing Nazi rule, including military officers, political dissidents, and religious figures who sought to end Hitler's dictatorship.

Nazi Regime: The Nazi Regime refers to the authoritarian government led by Adolf Hitler from 1933 to 1945, marked by totalitarian control, aggressive expansionism, and the systematic genocide of millions during the Holocaust.