1933-45 - Social Flashcards
How did workers benefit from the economy?
Full employment by the late 1930s
Real wages only rose above 1929 levels in 1938
Workers in armaments industry gained the most, but all found working hours increased from an average of 43 in 1933 to 47 by 1939
Had lost independent trade unions
KdF holidays and other leisure activities benefited millions.
How did peasants benefit from the economy?
Reich Entailed Farm Law - 1933 - sought so secure the rights of small farmers
Tax allowances were offered and many farm debts written off
An increase increase in produce prices between 1933-36 markedly improved farmers’ incomes, though they did not return to 1928 levels until 1938.
Wages remained higher in towns and drift of people from countryside continued
What were the negatives for peasants?
the Reich Food Estate, established in 1933, was seen as bureaucratic and its regulations were resented.
How were the landowners impacted by the Nazi economy?
the traditional social and economic dominance of this group was only ended in the eastern part of the country after 1945 when, under Communist control, the land was nationalised.
How did the Mittlestand benefit from the economy?
Many supporters of the Nazis between 1930-33
Money from confiscated Jewish businesses was used to offer low interest rate loans.
The Law to Protect Retail Trade - 1933 - banned the opening of new department stores and taxed the existing ones, many of which were Jewish.
How were the Mittlestand negatively impacted by the economy?
They still could not compete with larger corporations and they were gradually squeezed out
The number of skilled craftsmen fell by 10%
How did big businesses benefit from the economy?
Generally benefited from the Nazis despite the increasing range of government controls
Foreign expansion from 1938 onwards provided great opportunities for taking over foreign property, land and companies.
How had women benefited from Weimar?
Had been given some emancipation
Had the right to vote
Had begun to enter the workforce - one third of the workforce was female by 1918
Increase in population gender imbalance had increased opportunities for women and they had become more culturally and economically liberated
What was the role of women in the Nazi state?
Favoured a more traditional role of women
Expected to remain in the house
Not take an active role in politics, work or society
Role as being child bearers and homemakers
Described as the ‘germ cell of the nation’
How did women benefit under the Nazis?
Improved childcare facilities
Loans granted to women who gave up their jobs
Divorce became easier - however, was an attempt to boost the birth rate of Germany
Welfare scheme setup to support women and children
Reduction in infant mortality
Prolific mothers were granted rewards and medals for their contribution to society
How were women disadvantaged under the Nazis?
The Nazis broadly restricted women’s rights, didn’t view them as much beyond being a pseudo birthing machine
October 1933 - official guidelines for recruiting in the civil service led to equally qualified women being discriminated against in favour of men
The number of women in university was restricted to 10%
What was the Lebensborn project?
Motivated by the quest for a genetically pure German population. Aryan women had babies with SS men
What was the result of the Lebensborn project?
Led to 11,000 children being born between 1935 and 1944 in specialist homes
Who was the key figure of propaganda?
Goebbels - Minister for Propaganda and Enlightenment
What was the role of propaganda?
Purged culture of Jews and other ‘un-German’ elements
