Did German People Benefit from Nazi Rule? L/O – To assess the successes and failures of Hitler’s economic policies

To what extent did Germans benefit from Nazi rule in the 1930s? STARTER : Can you name the 7 leading Nazi figures? Give one fact about each

Pictured from left to right are Joseph Goebbels, Robert Ley, Heinrich Himmler, Victor Lutze, Rudolf Hess, Adolf Hitler and Julius Streicher. (June 9, 1938)

Problems facing Hitler in 1933 When Hitler became Chancellor in Jan 1933, he had promised the German people he would solve the economy. Unemployment was the main problem – 6 million in 1933! How Hitler solved this problem is what we will be investigating today.

The Fall in Unemployment The number of unemployed people in Germany fell sharply after million were unemployed in 1933; by 1934 this was 3.8 million and in 1939, 0.3 million. Solving unemployment was the Nazi’s only election promise. Therefore this was a huge success.

The Fall in Unemployment

The German Labour Front (DAF) Within months of taking power, Hitler decided to abolish all trade unions. In their place he set up the German Labour Front (DAF) run by Dr Robert Ley. Its rules included: Bosses could no longer sack workers on the spot Workers could not leave a job without the government’s permission Only government-run labour exchanges could arrange new jobs Workers could no longer bargain for higher wages Strikes were made illegal DAF had the power to punish workers Limitations on the hours a person could work were abolished. Many Germans were working 60–72 hours a week by Do you think that the German Labour Front would have been popular with the workers?

Strength through Joy (KDF) The KDF was designed to provide affordable leisure activities to workers, keep workers busy and happy and promote the German tourism industry. In 1934, over 2 million Germans participated in KDF trips, by 1939 this reached 25 million. Activities included cruises, plays, concerts, day trips and holidays. The KDF even set-up production of an affordable car for workers called the ‘KDF- Wagen’ which later became the Volkswagen Beetle!

“The worker sees that we are serious about raising his social position. He sees that it is not the so-called ‘educated classes’ whom we send out as representatives of the new German, but himself, the German worker, whom we show to the world.” Robert Ley

The National Labour Service (RAD) Hitler’s first measure to tackle unemployment was the setting up of the National Labour Service (RAD). Men aged had to spend 6 months in the service. This organization gave men jobs in public works schemes, for example, building schools, hospitals and motorways (autobahns) and digging drainage ditches. Men in the RAD had to wear a uniform and live in work camps. Their wages were really only pocket money, but for many this was an improvement on a life with no work. At least they got free meals.

Unemployment – Limits of Success The unemployment figures for Nazi Germany look very impressive, but they don’t tell the whole story: From 1933, women were no longer included in unemployment figures. Once the Nazis came to power, most Jews were sacked; their jobs were given to other Germans. From 1935, Jews could no longer hold German citizenship and were removed from the unemployment register. The unemployed were obliged to take any job offered or else be classed as ‘work-shy’ and imprisoned. Conscription removed over a million young men from the employment market.

Rearmament – The Four Year Plan Rearmament was very important to Hitler – he was determined to ‘make Germany ready for war again’. He wanted to conquer Eastern Europe to make Germany self-sufficient (Autarky) in food and raw materials. This was called ‘Lebensraum’ or living-space. However, rearmament was forbidden under the Treaty of Versailles, so Hitler had to conceal his actions from the Allies. Because spending had to be concealed, a lot was hidden in a work creation programme – building new runways, barracks and motorways (‘autobahns’). This only provided a few, often highly-skilled, jobs.

Results of the Four-Year Plan Government spending on Rearmament increased: 1933 – 3.5 billion marks 1939 – 26 billion marks Production of Iron and Steel trebled from Synthetic alternatives to oil and rubber were developed in an attempt to limit the impact of a potential naval blockade. Production of Plastic increased by 460% in the 1930s. The German Army grew in size: 1933 – 100, – 500, – 900,000

Effects of Nazi Economic Policies Political - Banning unions and reducing unemployment reduced political opposition to the Nazis. Social - Protecting workers’ rights and reducing unemployment helped all ordinary Germans and families. Economic - Unemployment fell from 6 million in 1933 to 0.3 million in 1939, reducing benefit payments for Gov. Military - Germany had rearmed and was ready for war by Failures – Rearmament was expensive, Gov. debt, Employment had only been achieved by removing women and Jews and by expanding army, SS and SA.

Question B – Choose either The National Labour Service or Rearmament. Describe one effect on unemployment of the Nazi policy you have chosen. (4 marks) 1. Focus on the question. It is about one effect. Begin with, ‘One effect was…’ Don’t just tell the story! 2. Give the effect and describe it. Using the word because helps you to give a developed description. 3. One developed paragraph is enough for 4/4.

Simple or generalised statements of consequence i.e. ‘One effect of the rearmament of Germany was that it reduced unemployment.’ ‘Also army got bigger.’ Etc…

Developed Statements of Consequence i.e. ‘One effect of the rearmament of Germany was that it reduced unemployment from 6 million in 1933 to 0.3 million in This was because... By increasing the size of the army from 100,000 to 900,000 and by introducing conscription, Hitler removed nearly a million people from the unemployment statistics. This led to a huge reduction in unemployment.’

Question C – Why were the Nazis able to reduce unemployment in the years ? Explain your answer. (8 marks). First Reason Give the reason. Fully explain it. Link Make a link with the 2 nd reason. Second Reason Give the reason. Fully explain it. Conclusion Sum up the two reasons, stressing the links between them.