The experiences of Germans under the Nazis

Question 1

The National Labour Service (RAD)

Answer 1

• Membership (6 months) was made compulsory in 1935 for all young men (18-25). 422,000 men were serving
• Contributed to public work schemes
• 1 purpose was to educate the German youth in the spirit of National Socialism

Question 2

Autobahns

Answer 2

• Gave work to nearly 100,000, as well as additional 270,000 in supply chain for construction
• They were termed ‘Adolf Hitler’s roads’
• 1st limited-access, high-speed road network in the world
• 1st section from Frankfurt am Main to Darmstadt opened in 1935
• By 1938 3,800 km had been built
• Working conditions were hard and the pay very low
• After 1st 5 years, 1 worker died per 6 km
• Fritz Todt was Inspector General of German Road Construction

Question 3

Public work schemes

Answer 3

• Hospitals
• Schools
• the 1936 Olympic Stadium

Question 4

Rearmament

Answer 4

• From 1935 all males 18-25 were conscripted for 2 years. within 5 years army grew from 100,00 to 1.4 million
• Armaments spending expanded from 1% of GDP in 1933 to 20% in 1938
• Between 1936-1939, 2/3 of industrial development came from war preparation
• By 1935 there were 72,000 workers employed in aircraft construction, compared to fewer than 4,000 at beginning of 1933
• Krupps made tanks described as “agricultural tractors”
• Mauser rifle factory increased workforce from 800-1,300

Question 5

Autarky

Answer 5

• Concept of economic self-sufficiency: removing dependence on foreign investment, imports and trade
• Idea was Germany would be less vulnerable to fluctuations in world’s economic situation, and more able to sustain long war - they would avoid WW1 situation
• Ultimately failed: Shortage of raw materials and from 1938, of labour to produce raw materials
• By 1939, Germany was still importing 33% of raw materials and 20% of its food

Question 6

Four Year Plan

Answer 6

• Vierjahresplan was introduced in 1936 by Hermann Goering
• establishment of the Reich Food Estate, which regulated what farmers could produce
• tighter controls on imports
• ersatz goods (coffee from acorns, makeup from flour)
• Forced labour by concentration camp inmates
• Hermann Göring Works (huge industrial complexes)

Question 7

Nazi’s interaction with business

Answer 7

• Despite promising to tackle monopolies, by 1937 they controlled over 70% of production
• Managers of major industrial companies had wages rise by 50%
• Regulations saw 20% of small businesses close down
• By 1937, agricultural prices had increased by 20%
• In fascist economics, resources & production are managed for benefit of the state rather than to increase profit, wages or standards of living

Question 8

Ordinary workers under the Nazis

Answer 8

• Weekly earnings increased by 19%
• But No. of hours worked rose by 15%
• Therefore hourly wage rates remained close to the lowest levels reached during Great Depression
• Industrial-related illnesses went up 150% & serious accidents increased
• Big cuts in welfare
• Workers could be blacklisted by employers if they questioned working conditions
• By 1944, slave labor made up one-quarter of entire civilian workforce