 Starter Why did German scientists and manufacturers go to such trouble to produce Ersatz products? During the Third Reich, German scientists came up with a range of chemically produced products that replicated naturally occurring resources and commodities. They were known as Ersatz products and included the following: ‘Kriesgsrhot’ or ‘War bread’ made from a mixture of rye, wheat and potatoes; cakes made from ground up clover; Kaffe-ersatz made from coal-tar a substance normally used in soaps; when coal-tar became scarce Kaffee-ersatz-ersatz was produced made from roasted acorns (food normally fed to pigs); when acorns were difficult to come by carrots and yellow turnips were used instead; the rice lamb chop was invented, with a lump of wood to serve as the bone; shoes were made from wood instead of leather; woollen jumpers were made from nettles and coats were made from recycled paper. Adapted from The Iron Ration: Three Years in Warring Central Europe

Were people better off under the Nazis? To decide whether life got better or worse for most German workers and businessmen under the Nazis  Aims

A Nazi election poster from 1932, it reads ‘Work and Bread’. Who was the poster aimed at? How was it trying to appeal to them? How successful do you think it would have been in 1932?

 Your task Your teacher will give you a scales chart template. On one side record any evidence that life improved under the Nazis and on the other that things changed very little or even got worse. Your teacher will give you a scales chart template. On one side record any evidence that life improved under the Nazis and on the other that things changed very little or even got worse.

 Your task List the aims of Nazi economic policy List the aims of Nazi economic policy What evidence is there that Nazi economic policy to reduce unemployment was successful? What evidence is there that Nazi economic policy to reduce unemployment was successful? How did the economics minister, Schacht, help the economy? How did the economics minister, Schacht, help the economy? What were the key features of the Four-Year Plan? What were the key features of the Four-Year Plan?

Feedback Table 1: What were the main aims of Nazi economic policy Table 1: What were the main aims of Nazi economic policy Table 2: Who was Schacht and what was the ‘New Plan’? Table 2: Who was Schacht and what was the ‘New Plan’? Table 3: Who was Goering and what was the ‘Four-Year Plan’? Table 3: Who was Goering and what was the ‘Four-Year Plan’? Table 4: Evaluate the sources on p Table 4: Evaluate the sources on p Table 5: What were the successes and failures of Nazi economic policy? Table 5: What were the successes and failures of Nazi economic policy?

Aims Reduce unemployment (1933, 6 million) Reduce unemployment (1933, 6 million) Rearmament Rearmament Self-sufficiency (Autarky) Self-sufficiency (Autarky)

Unemployment By 1939 unemployment had fallen to less than 0.5milion By 1939 unemployment had fallen to less than 0.5milion After 1932, reparations ended After 1932, reparations ended Autobahns Autobahns Public building projects, e.g. Olympic Stadium, Berlin Public building projects, e.g. Olympic Stadium, Berlin Reich Labour Service (RAD) Reich Labour Service (RAD) Government investment schemes, e.g. Volkswagen Government investment schemes, e.g. Volkswagen Conscription – 1m in army by 1939 Conscription – 1m in army by 1939

The New Plan, Dr Hjalmar Schacht Dr Hjalmar Schacht President of Reichsbank President of Reichsbank Minister of the Economy Minister of the Economy Imports limited Imports limited Trade agreements Trade agreements Unemployment reduced Unemployment reduced Mefo bills Mefo bills

Four-Year Plan, Hermann Goering WWI fighter pilot Head of German airforce (Luftwaffe) Self-sufficiency Synthetic raw materials (ersatz) Reduce imports Tighten control on wages

 Class discussion Did the Nazis achieve their economic objectives? Did the Nazis achieve their economic objectives? Was Schacht or Goering more successful? Was Schacht or Goering more successful? What were the potential weaknesses in the German economy? What were the potential weaknesses in the German economy?

 Extension activity In pairs take on the role of either Schacht of Goering and have a head-to-head debate to decide who made a more significant contribution to the German economy under the Nazis. Present your role plays to the class. In pairs take on the role of either Schacht of Goering and have a head-to-head debate to decide who made a more significant contribution to the German economy under the Nazis. Present your role plays to the class.