Economy Flashcards
Name 2 ways Germans were better off under Hitler.
Most German men were in work
Leisure activities and holidays for workers
Improved working conditions (canteens/ sports facilities)
Average weekly wage rose
Volkswagen scheme
Name 2 ways workers were worse off under Hitler
Trade Unions banned Workers had few rights Few could afford expensive activities and holidays National Labour Service was poorly paid Cost of living increased Average hours of work increased Volkswagen scheme was a swindle
How many people were unemployed in 1933?
6 million
In what ways did the construction of the Autobahns improve the economy in Germany?
Provided jobs
Improved efficiency of German industry due to increased speed transporting goods
Swift movement of German troops
What is the English name for Reichsarbeitsdienst [RAD]?
National Labour Service
When did the RAD become compulsory?
July 1935
Who had to serve in the National Labour Service?
All men aged 18-25
How long did men have to serve in RAD?
Six months
What projects did men in the RAD complete?
Autobahns
Draining marshes for farmland
Tree planting
Building coastal walls
Why was the RAD unpopular?
Very low wages Uncomfortable tented camps Long hours Boring jobs Organised like the army
What is invisible unemployment?
Official govt records did not include certain groups or those in RAD
Which groups were not included in official unemployment figures?
Jews Women Unmarried men (in RAD) Opponents Part time workers classed as full time!
How many men were in the German army by 1938?
900,000
How much did heavy industry increase 1933- 1939?
Coal and chemicals doubled
Oil, iron and steel trebled
Iron ore extraction x 5
What was the DAF?
German Labour Front
It replaced trade unions
How did the DAF try to encourage worker to be motivated?
Common spirit
Rather than wages and profit
What schemes did the DAF run?
SdA (Beauty of Labour)
KdF (Strength through Joy)
What was the aim of Kdf?
To motivate workers by giving them rewards for working hard
Could earn holidays on cruise ships
What types of rewards were given in KdF? (Strength through joy)
Theatre performances Concerts Hikes Holidays and cruises Museum tours Sports events
What was the aim of Beauty of Labour? (SdA)
Improve working conditions
Reduce noise level of machines
Built canteens, swimming pools and sports facilities
Why was Beauty of Labour less popular with some workers?
Workers expected to make improvements in their own time
What was the aim of the Volkswagen scheme?
Part of KdF
Expand car ownership
Cheap enough for workers to afford
5 marks a week to pay for car
Why was the Volkswagen scheme a swindle?
By start of war, no cars had been bought and none of the money was refunded.
Volkswagen switched production to needs of military
How well off were farmers under the Nazis?
Farm debts written off
Benefitted from rise in food prices
Suffered from shortage of labour because workers left for better jobs in towns
How well off were small businesses under the Nazis?
Curbed influence of large department stores and banned the growth of existing stores
Protected small businesses
How did big businesses benefit from Nazi rule?
No longer trade unions
Rearmament led to growth and larger profits
Salary of managers increased 70% 1934-1938
Some did not like Nazi control of wages, profits, imports and raw materials
When did Hitler introduce military conscription?
1935
How many men were in the German armed forces by 1939?
1,360,000
How much money did the Nazis spend on arms by 1939?
26 billion marks!
Why were Nazi unemployment figures not quite as good as they seemed?
Unemployment falling globally
Invisible unemployment
Some jobs created by Nazis were not real ‘jobs’ (created by the economy)
Some jobs supported by very high levels of government spending which could not have been maintained
