Economic Changes by the Nazis

Question 1

Give 4 Nazi work policies:

Answer 1

-The National Labour Service (RAD)
-Public Work Schemes
-Rearmament
-‘Invisible’ employment

Question 2

Give an example of a public work scheme:

Answer 2

In June 1933, the Nazis ordered the creation of new autobahns (motorways) to connect Germany’s towns better.

This gave work to nearly 100,000 men and by 1938, 3,800km of road had been built as well as a number of schools and hospitals.

Question 3

Show how the army grew because of conscription?

Answer 3

Within 5 years, the army grew from 100,000 to 1,400,000, giving people even more jobs.

Question 4

How did Hitler use ‘invisible’ employment?

Answer 4

Women who gave up work to have a family were not included in the figures. Part time workers were counted as full time. Nazis created jobs by sacking people, for example replacing Jew’s jobs with unemployed non-Jews. Nazis didn’t count newly unemployed Jews in their figures.

Question 5

Who was appointed Minister of Economics?

Answer 5

Hjalmar Schacht.

Question 6

What did Schacht sign deals for?

Answer 6

With countries in South-America and South-East Europe to supply Germany with raw materials in return for German made goods.

Question 7

Why was Schacht sacked and who was he replaced by?

Answer 7

Things were happening far too slowly for the impatient Hitler so Schacht was replaced by one of Hitler’s oldest and most loyal colleagues, Hermann Goering.

Question 8

What scheme did Goering introduce in 1936?

What was its main priority?

Answer 8

The Four Year Plan.

To increase military production

Question 9

What did Goering attempt to make Germany?

Answer 9

‘Self-sufficient’

Question 10

Give 3 adaptations Germany made to be self-sufficient:

Answer 10

-Petrol from coal
-Makeup from flour
-Coffee from acorns

Question 11

What % of the population was involved in agriculture and forestry?

Answer 11

30%

Question 12

How did Hitler try to reward farmers?

Answer 12

He cut the taxes they had to pay and guaranteed they would not be thrown off their land if they got themselves into debt.

Question 13

What Nazi policies annoyed farmers?

Answer 13

Laws were introduced that stopped farmers dividing up their land and giving a part to each of their children. This was an attempt to keep large farms and under control of the same family for years to come.

Question 14

What organisation replaced trade unions?

What did it promise?

Answer 14

The German Labour Front (DAF) promised to protect the right of workers and improve working conditions

Question 15

What 2 schemes did the DAF run?

Answer 15

-Beauty of Labour (SDA)
-Strength Through Joy (KDF)

Question 16

What did the Beauty of Labour scheme try to do?

Answer 16

Improve working environment by installing better lighting, safety equipment, new wash rooms, low cost canteens and sports facilities

Question 17

What did the Strength Through Joy scheme try to do?

Answer 17

It tried to organise leisure activities to encourage hard work. It was a reward scheme that offered cheap holidays, trips to theatre, tickets to football matches if workers met their targets.

Question 18

What other scheme did the DAF have?

Answer 18

A scheme to help workers save for a car. Hitler himself helped design a ‘People’s Car’, a Volkswagen, that ordinary people could afford.

Question 19

Why were Germans not better off?

Answer 19

Workers lost their rights because trade unions were banned. They could not quit without the government’s permission and were banned from striking. People could be forced to work as many hours as the Nazis wanted. The KDF schemes were also still too expensive for most of the working class Germans. Food also cost more as Germany was trying to be self-sufficient.

Question 20

What was the National Labour Service (RAD)?

Answer 20

All men between ages 18 and 25 had to spend 6 months in the RAD. They planted forests, mended hedges and dug drainage ditches on farms. Men in the RAD had to wear uniforms and live in camps, but were given free meals. They were only paid pocket money, but at least it was a job and unemployment figures fell.