Nonviolent Resistance to Nazi Germany: What occurred and what could have occurred

Abstract

This paper attempts to counter the common misconception that nonviolence would not have worked against Nazi Germany. It adds to the literature showing that nonviolence against Nazism did occur, and although it was mostly ad hoc, poorly coordinated and under-resourced, it was widespread, diverse and sometimes remarkably effective. If it had been better coordinated, planned and resourced, such nonviolence could have been formidable. The paper also examines foreign corporations that were economic and military-industrial pillars of Nazism, and suggests that an international campaign of boycotts, divestments and sanctions against those collaborator corporations - as used successfully against the similar pillars of apartheid South Africa - could have been highly effective.