Support for the Nazi's Flashcards
What was the effect on unemployment?
Unemployment fell from 4.8 million in 1933 to 0.3 million in 1939
National Labour Service
Started in 1933 to provide paid work for the unemployed in public works. Made compulsory in 1935 for all young men to serve 6 months in the RAD - unpopular, organised like an army (uniforms, marches, camps) and food/ working conditions were poor
When did the National Labour Service start?
1933
When was it made compulsory to serve 6 months in the RAD?
1935
What did the Nazi’s believe about unemployment?
The unemployed were a waste of resources and a burden to society
How many were employed in the RAD in 1935?
422,000
Autobahns
A public works scheme, aiming to build a 7,000 mile network of dual carriage ways, began in September 1933 and the first stretch was opened in 1935
Positive effects of Autobahns
Improved transport for industry and agriculture which boosted the sale of German goods
How many were employed in Autobahns in 1935?
125,000
How were employment statistics manipulated?
Women and Jews were forced to give up work but did not appear in unemployment statistics, people with part-time jobs were counted as full-time employment, many put in prisons or concentration camps which lowered unemployment, in normal peace-times those working in rearmament would need proper jobs, unemployment was falling everywhere as countries recovered from the Great Depression
How did government spending on public works change?
Spending on public works grew from 18 billion marks in 1933 to 38 billion marks in 1939
Rearmament
Made compulsory in 1935 for all young men to spend a period of time in the armed forces
How many men were in the armed forces by 1939?
1,360,000
How did the increasing size of the armed forces affect government spending on arms?
Bigger armed forces needed more weaponry so government spending on arms rose from 3.5 billion in 1933 to 26 billion in 1939 - caused an increase of employment in the arms industry
Affect on wages
Wages were 20% higher in 1939 than in 1933 however price of goods was 45% higher in 1939 than in 1933 so wages had to compensate for this - low earners had to use their extra wages to cover the higher cost of essentials
Due to the increase in wages, higher earners had money to spend on luxury goods…
Number of car owners trebled in the 1930’s
The Labour Front (DAF)
Set up in 1933 to protect the rights of workers (in replacement of trade unions)
When were trade unions banned?
1933
Negative effects of the DAF
Under the DAF workers lost their right to negotiate improvements in pay/ working conditions, maximum length of working week increased by 6 hours and the DAF could punish workers who disrupted production
How did the maximum length of working week change under the DAF?
The maximum length of the working week increased by 6 hours
Strength through Joy (KdF)
Division of the DAF set up in 1933 to make the benefits of work more enjoyable - provided leisure activities (sports events, films, shows) - mostly low-key but well supported
How many members in the KdF were there by 1939?
35 million members by 1939
Voltswagen (the people’s car)
The KdF encouraged workers to give 5 marks a week which would eventually entitle them to a Voltswagen - money was used to set up factories
Why did German workers never receive their Voltswagen?
In 1938 Voltswagen factories switched to arms production - no worker received their car or money back
Beauty of Labour (SdA)
Encouraged better working facilities by giving employers tax breaks to help with building and decoration costs - however it was normal for employees to do the building decoration themselves outside of working hours at no extra pay
The Swing Youth
Emerged from wealthier families. Rebelled against Nazi control over culture - danced, drank alcohol, smoked, listened to jazz (considered Negro music)
The Edelweiss Pirates
Emerged from working class districts of cities. Resented the military discipline over youth groups and the lack of freedom - wore American style clothing and sang pre-1933 folk songs
How many members of the Hitler Youth were there?
8 million
How many members of the Edelweiss Pirates were there?
2,000
Why didn’t opposition from the young pose much of a threat?
Seen as a nuisance rather than a threat, concerned about cultural issues rather than political
Catholic opposition
Priests spoke out against Nazi ideas - 400 send to the Preists’ block at Dachau Concentration Camp
Protestant opposition
Pastors Emergency League (PEL) founded in 1933, Confessing Church founded in 1934 by the PEL opposing Nazi interference in religion
How many Pastors joined the Confessing Church?
6,000 joined, 800 arrested and sent to concentration camps
Martin Niemoller
Opposed Nazi interference in the running of the Protestant Church, opposed the ban on Jews becoming Christians - founded the PEL in 1933
