Economic Changes in Nazi Germany

Question 1

what were the four schemes the nazis came up with to solve unemployment?

Answer 1

1. National Labour Service (RAD)
2. Rearmament
3. Invisible Unemployment
4. Public Work Schemes

Question 2

The National Labour Service (RAD) (3)

Answer 2

• all unmarried men between the ages 18 and 25 had to work in the RAD for six months
• they planted forests, mended hedges, and dug drainage ditches in farms
• the workers there lived in camps and had to wear uniforms but were given free meals and a small wage

Question 3

Rearmament (2)

Answer 3

• conscription introduced in 1935; all unmarried men between the ages 18 and 25 had to join the armed forces for at least 2 years
• new tanks, battleships, fighter planes, and guns were rebuilt, creating thousands of jobs in the army alone

Question 4

Invisible Unemployment (3)

Answer 4

• women who had quit their jobs to become full-time mothers or were out of work to start a family were not included in the official figures
• part time workers were counted as full-time workers
• the nazis created jobs by sacking Jews; the out of work Jews were also not counted in the official figures

Question 5

Public Work Schemes (2)

Answer 5

• a network of autobahns (motorways) were being built to connect germany’s major towns and cities, this created jobs for 100,000 people
• new schools and hospitals were also built, creating even more jobs

Question 6

what were the three schemes the nazis came up with to control workers?

Answer 6

• DAF (National Labour Front)
• SDA (Beauty of Labour)
• KDF (Strength through Joy)

Question 7

DAF (4)

Answer 7

The National Labour Front

• replaced trade unions
• striking was now illegal and workers had to ask permission to quit their jobs
• the nazis, however, promised to protect the worker’s rights
• they also promised to improve the working conditions

Question 8

SDA (2)

Answer 8

The Beauty of Labour

• nazis kept their promise and improved the working conditions
• installed better lighting, safety equipment, new washrooms, sports facilities etc.

Question 9

KDF (2)

Answer 9

Strength through Joy

• organised leisure activities to encourage hard work
• if a worker met their targets, they were given cheap holidays, trips to the theatre, football tickets etc.