The Nazi Economy Pt2 Flashcards
(14 cards)
Were the Nazi’s successful in reducing unemployment?
-‘Battle for Work’ policies were heavily successful brought 1929 depression to an end
-1932, 5.6 million unemployment
-1938, 0.4 million labour shortage
Were the Nazi’s successful in agricultural policies?
-Incomes went up by 41% between 1933 and 1938
-This was not that great compared to trade and industry
-Attempt to reform landholding was met with limited success in the face of landowner opposition
How was worker welfare?
-Road-building workers paid under welfare, lived in barracks and harsh work discipline
-Airfield workers paid lowest rates and number of workers leaving at 16 increased
-Larger numbers of women between 1936 and 39 entered employment especially in electrical engineering on armament orders
-Life was minimally better from 1939 compared to 1930-32
Who was Todt’s replacement and what did he do?
-Albert Speer convinced Hitler that armaments minister needed to be in full charge
-Decree of 22nd April 1942 set up Central Planning Board to distribute raw materials, factory usage and transportation
-Variety of committees with specialists and engineers
What were Albert Speer’s policies?
-Encouraged a policy of industrial self-responsibility, controls placed on businesses (Central Planning Board), this ended competition and gave him overall control of the economy
-Speer allowed industrialists a considerable degree of freedom and by breaking power of the armed forces over production
Were Speer’s policies a success?
-Between 1942 and 44 weapon output trebled
-Resources allocated only increased from 10 to 15%
-This was achieved through greater efficiency, savings across the war economy in capital and labour & increased employment of foreign labour
What caused limited success of Speer’s policies?
-This was due to strategic bombing which placed a ceiling on Germany’s effort
Name the effects of allied bombing on Speer’s policies?
-By 1944 decline in aircraft output by 31%, military vehicles declined 40% and tanks 35%
-Undermined Germany as a military force in 1944-45
Name the effects of allied bombing on Speer’s policies? (2)
-By 1943 diverted 2 million men and 50,000 artillery pieces
-1/3 of all production of German heavy guns and radar electrical equipment was diverted for allied bombing
-Breakdown of communications, the shortage of raw material and a lack of labour meant war could not be continued
Name some of the signs of Germany having an overstretched economy by 1945?
-Allied bombing had wiped out factories, mines, towns and transport links
-Loss of land that had provided raw materials, e.g Upper Silesia’s coal
-Damage to electricity, gas and water supplies
-Sabotage by foreign workers, e.g ‘mistakes’ with equipment and machinery
What was the impact of Hitler’s war plans on consumers?
-Failed to take care of the people (food consumption)
-They had introduced a rationing system early and 25% decline in consumption per head between 1939 and 41
-Diet of black rye bread, potatoes and vegetables
-Propaganda did encourage people to save
What was the impact on women of Hitler’s war policies?
-Exceptionally high number of women working in 1939, more than Britain
-1940-41 women moved into heavy industry, worked long hours with little help until foreign labour came
-Women were put into work before foreign labour which went directly against Nazi aims
What was the impact of employment of foreign labour?
-End of 1944 over 8 million foreigners working in Germany
-First full time workers began to leave from France and Belgium in 1940 when their economies went in the bin
What conquered territory played a key role in employment of foreign labour?
-Poland
-Hans Frank was ordered to recruit 1 million workers
-Only in 1942 was the 1 million level reached
