AIM: Nazi Economics (?) 1

Politics Society Führer through revolution from above A centralized, single-party state SS & Gestapo create state of fear that deters opposition Society Gleichschaltung Targeting of Children Nazi’s replace adult organizations 2

Economics 25 Point Program found support from all classes during Depression BUT 25 Point Program was not followed – Hitler had no plan Focus: economic recovery through helping industry; yet he must improve living standards to maintain support 3

Managed Economy Government supported monopolies were told what to produce; allows for private ownership Goals: Autarky – “self-sufficiency” Promote business (rather than socialist collectives) to bring industrial development, allowing for re-armament Example: Some companies (Krupp [steel] & I.G. Farben [chemicals]) developed strong government relations; became major weapon producers as WWII approached 4

Worksheet: Nazi Economics 5

To attain Lebensraum Lebensraum had to be attained Eastward expansion to acquire “living space” Obtained through war “Survival of the Fittest” Economic benefit: provide markets & resources however a strong economy was needed to fund war To attain Lebensraum Lebensraum had to be attained 7

Four-Year Plan & Total War -prepare for war -support autarky by developing steel, fuel, & heavy machinery -maintain a strong non-military economy(?) Move towards Total War – entire economy focused on war 8

Violating the Treaty of Versailles Army to be restricted to 100,000 men; no conscription, tanks or heavy artillery. Navy was restricted to 15,000 men; fleet was limited to 6 battleships, 6 cruisers, 12 destroyers, and no submarines. Air force not permitted. Required to retain all enlisted men for 12 years and all officers for 25 years so that only a limited number of men would have military training. Neville Chamberlain on German Rearmament (1936): “That Germany is rearming cannot be denied… It is today a commonly admitted part of Hitler's policy to develop an army strong enough to resist any attack, regardless of from which side it may come. I believe that he has already reached this point of inviolability.” 9

Blitzkrieg & Plunder Economy German “Lightning War” – a military and economic strategy Plan: attack quick utilize resources & markets of conquered areas to fuel Total War economy *Confiscated Jewish property funds large portion of war effort 10

WWII and the Nazi Economy Multiple perspectives on the War & Economy: 1. The ultimate goal Hitler was working towards 2. War needed to salvage a failing economy 3. Necessary focus on consumer production prevented Germany from being ready for war (Guns vs. Butter) 4. War in 1939 was unexpected – Hitler believed acquiring Austria, Sudetenland, and Poland would be peaceful (note: appeasement, Nazi-Soviet Pact) 11

WWII and the Nazi Economy German rearmament not sufficient by September 1939 Central Planning Board by Albert Speer made wartime production more efficient – armament production increased significantly, despite Allied bombings that devastated German infrastructure Germany’s economic limitations – specifically lack of natural resources – were no match to the Allies Nazi defeat: manifestation of failed economic policy? 12

Points to consider What was the purpose of Nazi economic programs? Was there a Nazi “economic miracle”? What was the role of war in Nazi economics? Was there an actual economic policy? 13