4.8 Were people better off under the Nazis? Flashcards
Were the Mittelstand better off under the Nazis?
The Mittelstand expected to benefit from the Nazi regime
The Law for the Protection of the Retail Trade seemed to fulfil these expectations by forbidding the expansion of department stores
However, in reality, they were much more readily sacrificed when its interests conflicted
In July 1933, over 14 million Reichsmarks were invested in a chain of Jewish-owned department stores to avoid their closure showing big business took priority over the Mittelstand.
Were farmers better off under the Nazis?
In 1933, Hitler declared the farmer was vital to the future of the nation.
Nazi agricultural policy was not a success
Smaller farm owners were tied to their land
There was a shortage of rural labour
Government controls on production were excessive
Price restrictions prevented farmers from buying better machinery
Were workers better off under the Nazis?
Certain foodstuffs would be in shorter supply, wages were unlikely to increase much and working hours were likely to be longers
Wages varied depending on the sector you worked in
Living standards in general did not rise after 1936
The Strength Through Joy organisation did provide greater leisure activities
Was big business better off under the Nazis?
Was the main beneficiary of Nazi economic policy
Heavy industry like coal mining and steel manufacturing benefitted hugely from rearmament
Chemical firms such as I.G. Farben prospered after 1936
Big business profits increased from 1.3bn reichsmarks in 1928 to 5bn in 1939
