1. AIM: Nazi Economics (?) 1

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Worksheet:
Nazi Economics 5

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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