Nazi Economic Policies Did Germans benefit from Nazi policies during the 1930s?

. ` Key issue: To what extent did Germans benefit from Nazi rule in the 1930s? Economic policy: increased employment through public works programmes, rearmament and conscription; self-sufficiency Social policy: standards of living; promises to the German people; effects of Nazi policy on the lives of women; effects on culture Racial persecution: the Jews and other alien groups, e.g. gypsies. Exam Specifications

Germany 1933  By January 1933, unemployment had reached 6,000,000.  No one would loan money to Germany and the Weimar Government couldn’t do anything to help the unemployed.  Hitler was elected on a promise to give the German people ‘Bread & Jobs.’

Economic Problems 1.It was difficult to export goods as world trade had collapsed in the Great Depression. 2.Germany was short of certain essential raw materials. 3.Germany could not afford to pay for many imports.

Hitler’s Aims 1.To reduce unemployment. In 1933 it was six million. 2.To build up the German armaments industry and to rearm and enlarge the German army, navy, and airforce. 3.To make Germany economically self- sufficient so it could not be blockaded in times of war.

Self-sufficiency In Hitler’s mind, Germany lost world war one because they had run out of imported goods. If another war was coming, he needed to ensure that Germany was producing everything she needed without needing to import from other countries. It was called “Autarky”.

Dr Hjalmar Schacht Schacht was made President of the Reichsbank in March 1933 and Minister of the Economy in He was a brilliant financial expert and was trusted by both business people in Germany as well as foreign leaders and bankers.

Schacht’s New Plan Imports were limited Trade agreements were made with individual countries to supply raw materials Government spending was channelled into a wide range of industries. Unemployment was reduced through a variety of work projects, conscription, and replacing political and religious enemies.

Hermann Goering He was head of the German airforce, President of the Reichstag, and eventually replaced Schacht. He was not an expert in economics or business, but was a loyal supporter of Hitler.

Goering’s Four-Year Plan Hitler wanted Germany to rearm quickly and be ready for war within four years, despite Schacht’s warnings to go slowly. The Plan aimed to make Germany self- sufficient in materials essential for war such as oil, rubber, and steel, and to set targets for the production of these materials.

How the Four-Year Plan was accomplished Increase production of raw materials needed for rearmament: coal, iron ore, oil, metal, and explosives. Use big business to produce synthetic raw materials to reduce imports. Tighten controls on prices and wages. Use forced labour. Build new industrial plants.

Did it work? Despite the large amounts of money spent, Germany still depended on foreign imports for raw materials. Germany would have to conquer countries which could provide raw materials and food if was to become truly self-sufficient.

Labour The state-run trade union, The German Labour Front (Deutsche Arbeitsfront - DAF), was the largest Nazi organization with a membership of 22 million by It was responsible for setting wages and working hours, organizing training, dealing with strikes and absenteeism and supervising working conditions. Kraft durch Freunde (KdF, Strength through Joy) provided opportunities for loyal workers to go on cheap holidays, participate in cultural visits or access sporting facilities.

` How did Hitler put Germany back to work?

Reichsarbeitsdienst – (RAD) State Labour Service This was a body created to reduce unemployment by working on public works programmes, such as the autobahns. It was similar to the programmes in other countries (EG New Deal)

Public Works Source: G. Layton, Democracy and Dictatorship in Germany (2009)

Strength through Joy movement However, Hitler wanted happy workers so he organised his Volkswagen scheme. He also sorted out cheap holidays for workers to take once a year. Actually, though, few workers saved enough money for a car so it was generally unsuccessful.

Activities What were the main aims of Nazi economic policy Who was Schacht and what was the ‘New Plan’? Who was Goering and what was the ‘Four- Year Plan’? Evaluate the sources on p What were the successes and failures of Nazi economic policy?