"We learned in the spring of 1942 of the arrest and execution of 10 or 12 Communists. And my brother said, In the name of civic and Christian courage something must be done. Sophie knew the risks. Fritz Hartnagel told me about a conversation in May 1942. Sophie asked him for a thousand marks but didn’t want to tell him why. He warned her that resistance could cost both her head and her neck. She told him, I’m aware of that. Sophie wanted the money to buy a printing press to publish the anti-Nazi leaflets.”
​​​​​​​~ Elisabeth Scholl

"We learned in the spring of 1942 of the arrest and execution of 10 or 12 Communists. And my brother said, In the name of civic and Christian courage something must be done. Sophie knew the risks. Fritz Hartnagel told me about a conversation in May 1942. Sophie asked him for a thousand marks but didn’t want to tell him why. He warned her that resistance could cost both her head and her neck. She told him, I’m aware of that. Sophie wanted the money to buy a printing press to publish the anti-Nazi leaflets.”
​​​​​​​~ Elisabeth Scholl

As the group realized the need to speak out, they knew the importance of doing so in a peaceful way. They had no intentions of harm, so they decided the best way to bring change was to spread leaflets conveying their beliefs.

With the first leaflet published, The White Rose became the first Germans who managed to successfully speak out against Hitler's regime. They targeted their message at the German people, and didn't hesitate to emphasize their disapproval of the Nazi government.

The second leaflet highlighted the poor treatment of Jews and questioned the German population, wondering why they allowed such treatment to go unpunished.

The third leaflet explicitly shared the goal of the White Rose: to bring down the Nazi Government. They maintained the idea of passive resistance while striving for this goal.

The fourth leaflet detailed the amount of Germans killed in battle. They wanted to restore the German spirit and unite to bring down Hitler.

The fifth leaflet was the first that was not signed "The White Rose", rather "the "Resistance Movement in Germany". This leaflet was written to share with other Germans the kind of world the White Rose hoped for after war.

The sixth and final leaflet is specifically directed at students. They intended to connect with the younger generations to build a strong population that would combat Hitler.

(All leaflets and translations courtesy of The German Resistance Memorial Center)

The group was able to write and produce six leaflets before Jakob Schmid, a Nazi Party member and janitor for the University of Munich, caught the Scholl siblings throwing leaflets from the second floor and reported them to the Gestapo.

"A small group of Munich students were the only protesters who managed to break out of the vicious circle of tactical considerations and other inhibitions. They spoke out vehemently, not only against the regime but also against the moral indolence and numbness of the German people."
~ Joachim Fest

"They arrived at the university, and since the lecture rooms were to open in a few minutes, they quickly decided to deposit the leaflets in the corridors. Then they disposed of the remainder by letting the sheets fall from the top level of the staircase down into the entrance hall. Relieved, they were about to go, but a pair of eyes had spotted them...The doors of the building were immediately locked, and the fate of brother and sister was sealed."
~ Inge Scholl

When the Scholl siblings were spotted, they were immediately arrested and searched. The Gestapo found a draft of the sixth leaflet signed by Christoph Probst, who was later arrested. 

(All Gestapo Photos courtesy of Spartacus Educational)

"Stay strong, no compromises"
~ Hans Scholl, 1943, his last words to his siblings

With three White Rose members in custody, the investigation continued to find the others associated. Their trial began almost immediately, and the trio was sentenced to death by guillotine–first Hans, then Sophie, and finally Christoph. Both attorneys for the students were appointed to defend them;so, although they asked for a lesser punishment, they didn't fight back when the students received their sentence. When the remaining founding members were located, they were each arrested and ultimately sentenced to death.

"They bore themselves with marvelous bravery. The whole prison was impressed by them. That is why we risked bringing the three of them together once more-at the last moment before the execution. If our action had become known, the consequences for us would have been serious. We wanted to let them have a cigarette together before the end. It was just a few minutes that they had, but I believe that it meant a great deal to them."
~ Stadelheim Prison Guard, 1943

The group wrote and produced six leaflets before Jakob Schmid, a Nazi Party member and janitor for the University of Munich, caught the Scholl siblings throwing leaflets from the second floor and reported them to the Gestapo.