Summary 8 - How successful were Nazi economic policies by 1939

Question 1

How did propaganda project an image of economic success?

Answer 1

• There were military parades which showcased the new equipment
• Speeches and radio broadcasts claimed that the battle for work had been won

Question 2

Give some evidence which suggests that Nazi economic policy was less successful than propaganda portrayed?

Answer 2

• The economic recovery had already begun before January 1933
• The reduction in unemployment came partly from Nazi policy for women who were encouraged to give up employment
• Statistical manipulation exaggerated success

Question 3

Give an example of how statistical manipulation was used to exaggerate the success of Nazi economic policy?

Answer 3

People doing unpaid work in agriculture were counted as employed.

Question 4

How successful was Nazi economic policy?

Answer 4

Success in economic policy was mixed. Unemployment was reduced by 1939 but the demands of the Four Year Plan put the economy under strain and targets were not achieved. The successes that were achieved were at the cost of holding back the living standards of many German people.