5) Nazi Economic Social And Racial Policy Flashcards
What had Hitler done to tackle unemployment before he was chancellor?
Before he was chancellor, Hitler had appealed to the unemployed and promised to create jobs if he was elected, on becoming chancellor, he introduced a series of measures to reduce unemployment.
What was the National Labour Service Corps (RAD)?
- Scheme to provide young men with manual labour jobs.
- It was intended to ‘educate German youth in the spirit of National Socialism and to acquire a true conception of work, above all a respect for manual labour’
How did the RAD work?
- From 1935 it was compulsory for all men aged 18-25 to serve in the RAD for 6 months.
- 1939- extended to women
- Workers lived in labour service camps, wore uniforms, received very low pay and carried out military drills as well as work.
How did Hitler build Job creation schemes?
- He spent 18.4 billion reichsmarks in 1933 and 37.1 billion five years later
- Nazis subsided private firms
- Also introduced a massive load-building programme to provide Germany with 7000km of motorways as well as other public work schemes such as the construction of schools, hospitals and houses
What dubious method did the Nazis use to keep down unemployment figures?
Invisible unemployment
How did the Nazis use invisible unemployment?
The official unemployment figure did not include:
- Jews dismissed from their jobs
- unmarried men under 25 who were pushed into national labour schemes
- Women dismissed from their jobs or who gave up to marry
- Opponents of the Nazi regime held in concentration camps
- Part-time workers were listed as fully employed
By 1935 how many males were listed as unemployed?
Only 35,000 out of 25 million
Why did Hitler want to rearm?
Hitler was Determined to build up the Armed Forces in readiness for future war. This in turn greatly reduced unemployment.
The re-introduction of what took thousands of young men into the military services?
Conscription (1935)
How much did Germany rearm?
- Army grew from 100,000 in 1933 to 1,400,000 by 1939.
- Heavy industry expanded to meet the needs of rearmament coal and chemical usage doubled in the years 1933-1939, oil, iron and steel usage tripled.
- Billions spent on producing tanks, aircraft and ships.
How much did Hitler spend on rearmament?
3.5 billion marks in 1933, increased to 26 billion by 1939.
What was the German Labour Front (DAF)?
A Nazi policy for workers that replaced trade unions when they were banned on May 2nd 1933
How many members did the DAF have by 1939?
22 million and became the largest organisation in Germany.
What did the DAF decide?
Wages and strikes were banned
What did worker get from the DAF?
Relatively high wages, job security and social and leisure programmes.
What was the Volkswagen scheme?
- Gave Workers the opportunity to pay 5 marks a week to buy their own car.
- By 1938, more than 150,000 had ordered a car but in 1939, all money was diverted to military fund and nothing was refunded with no cars received.
How did the strength through joy (KDF) scheme help workers?
- Set up to replace trade unions
- Improved leisure time amongst workers
- Included concerts and holidays
- Low cost of living
- Improved working conditions
How did the Nazis think women should behave?
- No makeup
- Blonde, heavy-hipped and athletic
- Wore flat shoes and full skirt
- Did not smoke or work
- Did all house hold duties
- Took no interest in politics
Why were the Nazis concerned about marriage and family?
They were worried by the decline in birth rate.
How did the Nazis use propaganda to tackle their concerns about marriage?
The Nazis launched a massive propaganda campaign to promote motherhood and large families.
What law was introduced in 1933 which would help to tackle Nazi concerns about marriage and family?
Law for encouragement of marriage- aimed to increase birth rate by giving loans to young couples to marry, provided the wide left her job. Couples were allowed to keep 1/4 of loans for each child born, up to four children.
