Summary 8 - Nazi policy towards management and the industrial elite

Question 1

How widespread was support for the Nazis from businesses when they initially came into power?

Answer 1

Many business leaders had welcomed Nazi government.

Question 2

Which early Nazi economic policies reinforced the enthusiasm among business owners for the Nazis?

Answer 2

• The banning of trade unions
• Increased government expenditure to revive the economy

Question 3

What was the impact of the Four Year Plan on businesses and some industries?

Answer 3

The Four Year Plan allowed many industries to profit though their involvement in the rearmament programme.

Question 4

Give an example of a business which profited from the Four Year Plan and how much did their profit increase?

Answer 4

IG Farben, who researched and produced synthetic materials, profited from the Four Year Plan.
Between 1935-39 IG Farben’s profit rose from 71 million Reichsmarks to 240 million.

Question 5

Give two aspects of Nazi economic policy that many businesses did not support?

Answer 5

• Many firms were concerned by increased state intervention, such as the government controlling labour supply, prices and the use of specific raw materials
• Some industries resented being ordered to use specific (German ) raw materials instead of imports

Question 6

Why did Ruhr iron and steel firms protest against the regime?

Answer 6

Ruhr iron and steel firms protested against having to use more expensive and poor quality iron ore instead of importing it.

Question 7

How did the regime respond to the protests of iron and steel firms in the Ruhr?

Answer 7

The regimes response was to set up a large state owned steel works (Hermann Goering Steelworks) to bypass the Ruhr firms.