Rearmament Period (1936-39)

Question 1

What was the situation by 1936?

Answer 1

There was the threat of another trading deficit, munitions were only producing 70% as much as they were able to because of shortage of raw materials

Question 2

What was Schacht’s proposal?

Answer 2

Reduce arms expenditure, the Nazis refused

Question 3

4 Year Plan:

When did Schacht resign and who was he replaced by?

Answer 3

Schacht resigned in November 1937 and was replaced by Walther Funk
*no one could imitate Schacht’s clever financial tricks

Question 4

4 Year Plan:

What were the 4 main priorities of the 4 Year Plan?

Answer 4

1. Achieve Autarky in raw materials like rubber, oil and metals
2. To retrain certain sectors of the labour force
3. Regulate imports and exports
4. Increase agricultural production

Question 5

4 Year Plan:

What is Goring’s role?

Answer 5

In October 1936, Goring is appointed ‘Plenipotentiary of the 4 yr Plan’

Question 6

4 Year Plan:

After the Nazis disagreeing with Schacht’s policy, what did it seem to be a question of?

Answer 6

After the Nazis disagreeing with Schacht’s policy, it seemed to be a question of Guns or Butter. Neither of which the Nazis wanted to sacrifice

Question 7

4 Year Plan:

What was the alternative to Schacht’s proposal?

Answer 7

Experimenting with synthetic substitutes for materials such as rubber and fuel. This would provide Hitler with the solution he wanted - this became the foundation of the 4YP

Question 8

4 Year Plan:

How did the 4YP show that the Nazis were gearing towards total war?

Answer 8

Between 1936 and 1939, two thirds of industrial investment went into war-related sectors
By 1939, 40-50% of all employees were involved in war

Question 9

Were the Mittelstand better off under the Nazis?
YES:
NO:

Answer 9

YES: Law for Protection of Retail Trade fulfilled expectations, protecting small shopkeepers
NO: July 1933, over 14 million Reichsmarks were invested in a chain of Jewish department stores to avoid their closure

Question 10

Were the Farmers better off under the Nazis?
YES:
NO:

Answer 10

YES: October 1933 Hitler declared that the farmer was vital to the future of the nation
NO: Nazi agricultural policy wasn’t successful; smaller farm owners were tied to their land

Question 11

Were the Workers better off under the Nazis?
YES:
NO:

Answer 11

YES: The KdF provided greater leisure opportunities for German workers.
NO: Members of the KdF were offered the chance to pay in instalments for Volkswagen when in fact they used the money for rearmaments