Life for workers in Nazi Germany Flashcards
What were Germany’s economic problems in 1920?
Unemployment - this had risen to over 6 million by 1932
Inflation and hyperinflation- Germany had faced devastating hyperinflation in 1923 when $1 = 4,200,000,000,000 marks.
Self sufficiency - main reason why they lost WW1
Who was Hjalmar Schacht?
Hitler appointed him as President of the Reichsbank and later made him Minister for Economics. His plans did not suit Hitler’s preparation for war so Hitler ignored him and he resigned.
What was the New Plan?
Made by Schacht and it included:
Welfare spending was cut e.g. health insurance and unemployment benefits.
Goods imported to the country was cut
Trade agreements were made with other countries
The government focused on spending on key industries
What is a trade deficit?
A country wants to export more than it imports. When they import more goods there is a trade deficit = the cost difference between imports and exports.
What was Autarky?
It was self-sufficiency for Germany. Hermann Göring was appointed by Hitler to make an economy that was ready for war and he made a Four Year Plan
What was the Four Year Plan?
It included:
New factories being built e.g. to build tanks, airplanes
Industry was placed under strict government control.
Targets were set for the production of essential materials, such as oil, rubber and steel.
Targets were set to increase food production
How did conscription help reduce unemployment?
It was reintroduced in 1935 and helped reduce the numbers of unemployed. In 1933 there were 100,000 in the Army by 1939 the army had 1.4 million
How did rearmament help reduce unemployment?
To make the army weapons factories for rearmament were built creating new jobs so this took more off the unemployment figures. This stimulated heavy industries e.g. coal, iron and steel
How did the National Labour service (RAD) help reduce unemployment?
It brought together similar schemes already in existence and increased the scale of existing public work schemes. By 1935 it was a 6 month compulsory National Civic service scheme. Members of it were removed from the unemployment register
How did youth employment help reduce unemployment?
Youth employment was dealt with by the forming of the Voluntary youth service. They planted forests, repaired river banks and helped reclaim wasteland. Part time workers were listed as full time workers
How does rigged stats help reduce unemployment?
Women - dismissed from professions, law for the encouragement of marriage and women’s jobs given to men were struck off the unemployment register.
Jews - dismissed from their jobs and lost their rights in @935 and hence Nazis did not believe they were statistically relevant
How effective were the Nazis actions to reduce unemployment?
1933 - 6 million (26%)
1939 - 300,000 (less than 1%)
How did the Nazis change the mindsets of workers to increase Volksgemeinschaft?
They introduced three organisations:
1. The German Labour Front (DAF)
2.The Beauty of Labour (SdA)
3.Strength thorough joy (KdF)
What was the German Labour front (DAF)?
Led by Robert Ley, trade unions held strikes and bosses found it hard to control the workers so Hitler banned trade unions and the DAF took its role. Their slogan was Volksgemeinschaft. There were incentives offered to workers to encourage them to accept hard working and low paid jobs
What was strength through joy (KdF)?
Workers had 3,740 hours per year free for pursuing leisure activities which the state would provide. Cheap holidays and the offer of them was a good way to win support of the average person in the street. They introduced a scheme where workers would get a Volkswagen Beetle no one ever received a car when paying.
