What was life like in Nazi Germany ? In some ways it was better. In some ways it was a lot, lot worse……

Divide page into two Germany a good place to live Unemployment fell Germany a bad place to live Political opponents killed

What did Hitler do when he got to power? He got rid of democracy! ips/zps6sbk ips/zps6sbk He blamed the fire at the Reichstag ( German House of Parliament) on the communists. This gave him the excuse to pass the Enabling Act which allowed him to ban all other political parties – in an election the voters had no choice. Hitler was now in charge – a dictator When Hindenberg died he became both Chancellor and president – and called himself the Fuhrer.

The Nazis built the first motorways in Germany – giving jobs and fast travel for the first time. A glimpse of a modern Europe. w ucation/clips/zyryr82

Young People ng-people-in-nazi-germany/5674.html

The KDF was run by Dr Robert Ley, the leader of the German Labour Front. He worked out that there are 8,760 hours in a year. He said that the average German spent one third of the time sleeping, and a quarter of the time at work. He calculated that there were 3,740 hours of free time. Dr Ley wanted to make sure all this free time was not wasted. He said people who had nothing to do would become bored and frustrated in their free time. This meant they would become bored and frustrated workers. Dr Ley felt that if people were happy and contented, with lots to do with their free time, they would be much more likely to work hard at their jobs. Reward the loyal hard working German…..

The KDF arranged massive leisure programmes for German workers. The largest of these plans provided workers with cheap holidays. Doctor Ley had two 25,000 tonne liners built to take workers on ocean cruises at bargain prices. A cruise to the Canary Islands cost 62 marks - about two weeks wages! Most workers could afford this, but only loyal and hardworking Nazi Party members were given places on the cruise ships. Thus Hitler and the Nazis gave people a clear reason to work hard and be a ‘good Nazi’. The Canary Islands = two weeks’ wages! As can be seen from this, the Nazis believed very strongly in the ‘Strength through Joy’ programme. After the depression it gave Germans further reasons to be proud with Hitler’s new Germany. The Nazis controlled leisure time, making sure that those who helped Nazi Germany were those who got all the benefits. There was no such programme for those were not part of the Nazi regime...

The Secret Police – The Gestapo.. Constant Threat …. In Nazi Germany the police could arrest you on suspicion you were going to do wrong. They could basically do what they like. Himmler

Hitler’s private bodyguard the Schutzstaffel or SS

Who would get arrested ? The list was intentionally expansive. Anybody considered to be a political threat was arrested; opposition/3273.html opposition/3273.html those who made jokes about the Nazi Party were also arrested (jokes about Hitler were punished with death); the "work shy" were also arrested (this fitted in exactly with Hitler’s plan to reduce unemployment as an unemployed person would be offered work at a Labour Exchange and if they refused it as too menial for them, they would be arrested as work shy. As no-one in concentration camps counted as unemployed, the figures for unemployment had to come down; "Bibelforscher’s" were also arrested (these were people who would only seek guidance from the Bible and rejected all Nazi ideas and they also refused to do military service); homosexuals were also arrested and the SS used this as a common tactic to discredit someone.

THE GERMAN RACE This master race had to be kept pure and made for for the warrior future. Whole groups had to be cleansed – at first sterilised so they could not breed, then murdered. Criminals and children of criminals, so they would not be criminals in their turn. Mentally handicapped – too expensive to maintain. Physically handicapped – too expensive to look after. Orphans, would pass on bad antisocial habits because of a lack of a family Homosexuals, did not “breed” good German children. Families of enemies of the Nazi party – like Communists, who had different ideas. Gay German citizens in a concentration camp. What did the Nazis think of when they decided to punish and murder people who did not “fit”. What did they base their decisions on?

Nazi propaganda picture of handicapped people in a concentration camp. They said there was no reason these people should be helped or supported. It was a waste of money, they were “unfit” and not good enough for a master race. They were to be killed by the Nazi government as a matter of racial “hygiene” like putting a down the weakest puppy in a litter. It was the kindest thing to do.

Groups of people persecuted

RIVAL IDEAS Enemies of “progress” had to be crushed. Political opponents such as Democrats and Communists were beaten, put into Concentration camps and killed. Religious groups who said that Nazi ideas were wrong were punished: Jehovah Witnesses refused to serve in the army and salute the swastika, some Catholics and Protestants refused to join the Nazi Church where Hitler was more important than Jesus. kq6f kq6f Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German Christian who stood up to the Nazis. Hanged 1945

If you disagreed …..

Conclusion… Did Hitler make Germany a better or a worse place to live? For some Germany was a good place to live because… Hitler made sure that young Germans would grow up to be Nazis by…. Many in the Hitler Youth believed Good Nazis were rewarded with…. For others it was much worse because…. Anybody who were against the Nazis were… People were afraid to speak out against Hitler because… The Gestapo… The SS…. The Nazis controlled information by…. Nazi Germany was both a good place and a bad place to live because…. Clues: banned, propaganda and censorship, arrested and imprisoned, Hitler Youth HH Hitler youth ZGkPG9k