The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen and the Churchill Club

Consider how The Churchill Club approached the idea of resistance. Why did they resist Nazi German laws? What was the effect of their resistance on Danish society? Point out examples from a variety of places in the text to support your response. You might also compare your answer from the Personal Connection Prompt with The Club’s beliefs and approach.

Teaching Suggestion: This Discussion/Analysis Prompt directly links to the Personal Connection Prompt, as it encourages students to link their resistance answers with the example of The Churchill Club. Some or all of the following points might be discussed in connection to this prompt: Participants in The Club understood that the Nazi German belief system was antithetical to their way of life, religion, and human condition in Denmark. For the type of members that were interested in The Club, including Knud, complacency was not an option. To counteract the Nazi-compliant Danish government officials, The Club’s acts of resistance needed to be public. Although Danish society initially shirked from The Club’s approach, Denmark began to collectively resist Nazi German occupation during the years while the boys were in prison. This Prompt connects with the theme of The Psychological Power of Resistance.