Peter Müller of Swing Kids At the start of the 1930s, Germany began to experience the effects of the worldwide economic depression. The government at the time, the Weimar Republic, was perceived as weak to many Germans, and the democratic rule was unable to provide the country with a solution to its economic despair. With the Weimar Republic’s lack of popularity and the increasing anger and impatience amongst Germans, Adolf Hitler offered false promises of a prosperous future that raised the hopes of German people. Hitler and the Nazi Party’s claims and encouraging economic policies gained support quickly. In 1933, Hitler was elected chancellor and the Nazi Party became the ruling party in Germany. The Nazi Party’s encouragement of anti-semitic policies intensified and began to alter the lifestyles of citizens throughout the country.
In 1933, Hitler introduced the creation of the Reich Culture Chamber and Reich Music Chamber to Germany in order to synchronize culture with Nazi ideology. Both government agencies attempted
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Swing Kids is based on a group of teenagers in 1939 in Hamburg, Germany. Peter Müller, Thomas Berger, Arvid, and Emil Lutz find themselves inspired by swing culture and embrace its customs. The threat of the Nazi Party, unfortunately, gains Emil’s support, as he surrenders to the Hitlerjugend. Peter, Thomas, and Arvid perceive Emil as a traitor and remain strongly connected to swing culture. However, due to an accidental encounter with the Gestapo, Peter is forced to become part of Hitler’s youth group in order to protect himself and his family. Thomas eventually joins him to show his moral support for Peter. In an attempt to be Hitlerjugend members by day and swing kids by night, the group of friends struggle to maintain their identities as their mental strength and morals are tested and relationships become