ECONOMIC & EMPLOYMENT POLICIES

Question 1

How was Hitler helped financially in 1932?

Answer 1

End of reparations.

Question 2

What was Hitler able to build on, that Schleicher originally created?

Answer 2

Public Works Scheme.

Question 3

What had Hitler promised in 1933?

Answer 3

To solve the unemployment problem within four years.

Question 4

How many Reichsmark were invested in the Nazi employment schemes?

Answer 4

One Billion.

Question 5

How much did car production increase by? How did this happen?

Answer 5

40%

Encouraged by tax concessions.

Question 6

What was introduced in 1935, which helped to employ unemployed youth?

Answer 6

Introduction of conscription.

Question 7

How many men did the Voluntary Labour Service employ?

Answer 7

500,000.

Question 8

What was the result of unemployment by 1938?

Answer 8

Virtually full employment.

Question 9

How much had unemployment fallen to by 1934? When did it fall again after that?

Answer 9

2.5 million in 1934.

1936, following the introduction of conscription.

Question 10

What was the downside of the Reich Labour Service?

Answer 10

Was not only poorly paid, but involved hard labour.

Question 11

What was Schacht appointed in 1934?

Answer 11

Minister of Economics.

Question 12

What did Schacht encourage? What was this policy called?

Answer 12

Heavy state spending.

Deficit Financing.

Question 13

What did deficit financing result in for the government?

Answer 13

70% spending rise.

Question 14

What was the situation with imports and exports in Germany from 1934 to 1937?

Answer 14

Importing raw materials and failing to increase its exports, resulting in a shortage of money.

Question 15

How did the Nazis avoid inflation?

Answer 15

Through the introduction of Mefo bills.

Question 16

How was the import problem worsening by 1936?

Answer 16

Raising of funds for rearmament, created demand for imports. Balance of payments problem was worsening.

Question 17

Who did Hitler appoint after Schacht? As what?

Answer 17

Göring as Commissioner for Raw Materials and Currency.

Question 18

What was the aim regarding production in the four year plan?

Answer 18

Increase armaments production and also achieve autarky.

Question 19

How did the four year plan set out to achieve autarky?

Answer 19

Increase agricultural and industrial production, develop ersatz and regulate imports and exports.

Question 20

What type of economy was Hitler working towards?

Answer 20

Total war economy.

Question 21

What was one of the main aims of the four year plan?

Answer 21

To increase the production in key war industries.

Question 22

What was built in order to achieve the desired increase in production?

Answer 22

Large plants.

Question 23

When were Austrian companies taken over? Under what?

Answer 23

1938.

Anschluss.

Question 24

By 1939, when war broke out, how much did the Germans still rely on foreign supplies?

Answer 24

One-third of its raw materials and therefore not ready for total war.

Question 25

How much of the workforce were employed in rearmament?

Answer 25

One-quarter.

Question 26

Where was there shortages due to large-scale rearmament?

Answer 26

Food, consumer goods and raw materials.

Balance of trade had become difficult to finance.

Question 27

What did these shortages in consumer goods, food and raw materials result in?

Answer 27

Discontent among the working-class.

Question 28

How much of German investment had been directed toward rearmament?

Answer 28

Two-Thirds.

Question 29

Why was Hitler forced into war before he was economically ready?

Answer 29

Due to diplomatic developments that brought in France and Britain.

Question 30

What was the downside to the fall in unemployment?

Answer 30

The position of many workers declined, as they were stripped of their rights including negotiations over pay and conditions.

Question 31

What were independent trade unions replaced by?

Answer 31

The German Labour Front (DAF).

Question 32

What did the DAF arrange?

Answer 32

Wages and working conditions.

Question 33

How much did working hours increase by?

Answer 33

Increased from 43 hours per week in 1933 to 47 by 1939.

Question 34

Why was the ‘Strength through Joy’ movement established?

Answer 34

Aware of the need to win support of workers.

Question 35

What was the ‘Strength through Joy’ movement?

Answer 35

State welfare organisation to gain the support of workers and improve conditions and morale in the workplace.

Question 36

What did the ‘Strength through Joy’ movement offer workers as an incentive?

Answer 36

Real benefits of sports facilities, cultural visits and holidays.

Question 37

What was the reality of the ‘Strength through Joy’ movement and the benefits it promoted?

Answer 37

Only offered to loyal workers and therefore, had limited impact.

Question 38

Overall, what was the reality of the fall in unemployment?

Answer 38

Virtually eradicated, however, it was achieved only because one-quarter of the workforce was employed in rearmament.

Question 39

How much of Germany’s GNP was spent on rearmament?

Answer 39

17% in 1938-39.

Question 40

What did this focus on rearmament create?

Answer 40

Economic problems, such as, production bottlenecks, competition for scarce resources, labour shortages and a growing threat of inflation.

Question 41

Despite the increase in production, what was the result?

Answer 41

Production targets were not met and imports were still needed, which continued to drain the financial resources of the country.

Question 42

What did Schacht create to help unemployment?

Answer 42

National Labour Service (RAD).

Question 43

What did RAD use unemployed men to do?

Answer 43

Build government-funded motorways, hospitals, schools etc.

Question 44

When did RAD become compulsory?

Answer 44

Men: 1935
Women: 1939

Question 45

How much did the army increase due to conscription?

Answer 45

From 0.4 million in 1935 to 1.4 million in 1939.

Question 46

How much was spent on rearmament?

Answer 46

46 billion marks.