Nazi economic, social and racial policy Flashcards
What was Hitler’s aim regarding economic policy?
He aimed for full employment to recover the German economy
Rearmement
Self-sufficiency
Autarky
A closed economy. Hitler’s ideology that wanted Germany to cease trade with the outside world and rely entirely on its own resources.
Self-sufficiency
Example of the public works that Hitler built:
1936 Olympic Stadium
The construction of 7,000 kms of
autobahns (Created work for 80,000 men)
Autobahn
German Motorways
How many men gained work from building atubahns?
80,000 men
How many kilometres of autobahns did Hitler implore to build?
7000 kms
What was responsible for the bulk of economic growth between 1933 and 1938?
Rearmament - Manufacturing arms and increasing the army.
How many marks were spent on producing tanks, aircrafts and ships in 1933?
3.5 billion marks
By 1939, 26 billion marks
Unemployment Relief Act (June 1933)
This helped establish an important organisation, the National Labour Service (RAD) which aimed to reduce unemployment and indoctrinate the workforce. Voluntary at first but compulsory from 1935
When did joining the RAD become compulsory?
1935
RAD
Reichsarbeitsdienst - National Labour Service
What did men aged between 18-25 have to do in the RAD?
Complete six months training at the RAD
Wear military uniform
Live in camps
Receive pocket money only - no wages
Do military/physical exercise every day such as planting forests and digging ditches on farms
What did the RAD aim to do?
Reduce unemployment to strengthen the German economy.
Indoctrinate the workforce
What is Invisible employment in regards to Germany?
Although Germany claimed to have full employment by 1939, many groups of people were not included in the statistics:
-The were 1.4 million men in the army (AGAISNT TREATY OF VERSAILLES)
-Jews who were sacked had to give their jobs to non-Jews.
-Women were to give up their jobs to men.
Impact of Nazi economic policies on Big Businesses
Boosted profits of big weapons companies, and managers of the major industrial companies saw their incomes rise by 50 per cent
Impact of Nazi economic policies on Small Businesses
Rules on opening and running small businesses were tightened, which resulted in 20 per cent of them closing.
Impact of Nazi economic policies on Farmers
Having been one of the main sources of their electoral support during their rise to power, farmers benefitted under the Nazis.
Agricultural prices had increased
The Hereditary Farm Law of 1933 prevented farms from being repossessed from their owners, which gave farming families greater security.
Impact of Nazi economic policies on German people OVERALL
Despite the loss of freedom, life improved in Germany for many ordinary people who were prepared to conform in order to have a job and a wage
The Labour Front (DAF)
This was a Nazi organisation that replaced trade unions, which were banned. It set wages and nearly always followed the wishes of employers, rather than employees.
What organisation replaced trade unions in Nazi Germany?
The Labour Front (DAF)
Strength through Joy (KdF)
This scheme gave workers rewards for their work - evening classes, theatre trips, picnics, and even very cheap or free holidays.
Purpose of the KdF
To support the Führer and thank him and to keep everyone happy after abolishing the trade unions.
INDOCTRINATION
Most popular KdF scheme
Volkswagen - The people’s car
It was possible to pay for the car in instalments
Beauty of Labour organisation
This organisation was to help Germans see that work was good, and that everyone who could work should.