1. Employment and Living Standards in Nazi Germany
LO: To apply knowledge of employment and living standards in Germany to question 3d.

2. Task 1: Think – Pair - Share
LO: To apply knowledge of employment and living standards in Germany to question 3d.
Task 1: Think – Pair - Share
Under Hitler, the standard of living improved for the people of Germany. Do you agree?
Jot down ideas for and against.
Share.

3. LO: To apply knowledge of employment and living standards in Germany to question 3d.
Task 2: Evidence
Read through the cards below. In pairs, categorise them into reasons for and against the improvement in the standard of living.
In 1933, Hitler set up the National Labour Service (RAD).
It was a ‘back to work’ scheme which provided paid work for the unemployed.
They completed manual work such as repairing roads and planting trees.
Autobahns were built under Hitler. (one of many public work schemes financed by the Nazis)
Public works such as these created many jobs in the construction industry. Also better roads made transport quicker and cheaper.
The RAD was unpopular, many were miserable and they were treated as though they were in the army. Rates of pay were low, working conditions poor and the food wasn’t great.
Putting thousands of people in prison and concentration camps meant that unemployment appeared low, but in reality it was not.
Although rearmament created lots o jobs, this was only because Hitler was preparing for war. In times of peace this would not have been needed and therefore unemployment would have risen.
In 1935, the RAD was made compulsory (all young men had to serve 6 months). By the end of ,000 men were employed under this scheme.
Invisible unemployment – many historians argue that unemployed was worse under the Nazis. Many Jews and women wanted jobs but were forced to give up work. These were known as the invisible unemployed.
Rearmament decreased unemployment. Many men were classed as employed while serving in the army and as the army needed equipment, uniforms etc many more jobs were created
Not everyone benefitted equally from rising employment and improved living standards in Germany. Jews, for example, saw a decline in their quality of living
On average, the working week for a German rose from 43 hrs (1943) to 49 hrs (1939). Although workers were earning more, they were working longer hours to get this
Prices of goods increased in 1930s, those in high skilled jobs could afford this, but low skilled low paid jobs meant some workers were using their extra wages to cover the increased cost of living
The German Labour Front (DAF) ensured that workers had rights in the workplace, their working week was capped and a minimum wage was introduced.
Strength Through Joy (KDF) made activities such as days out, theatre trips and holidays affordable for hard workers. It meant many low paid workers had a better work-life balance
The German Labour Front (DAF) meant trade unions banned. Although there was a minimum wage, workers could no longer negotiate their pay, The working week was capped, but had actually increased and the DAF could punish unproductive workers
Many report that KDF holidays were strict and unenjoyable and just a propaganda opportunity.
Beauty of Labour (SDA) meant that work facilities improved.

4. LO: To apply knowledge of employment and living standards in Germany to question 3d.
Task 2: Evidence
Read through the cards below. In pairs, categorise them into reasons for and against the improvement in the standard of living.
In 1933, Hitler set up the National Labour Service (RAD).
It was a ‘back to work’ scheme which provided paid work for the unemployed.
They completed manual work such as repairing roads and planting trees.
Autobahns were built under Hitler. (one of many public work schemes financed by the Nazis)
Public works such as these created many jobs in the construction industry. Also better roads made transport quicker and cheaper.
The RAD was unpopular, many were miserable and they were treated as though they were in the army. Rates of pay were low, working conditions poor and the food wasn’t great.
Putting thousands of people in prison and concentration camps meant that unemployment appeared low, but in reality it was not.
Although rearmament created lots o jobs, this was only because Hitler was preparing for war. In times of peace this would not have been needed and therefore unemployment would have risen.
In 1935, the RAD was made compulsory (all young men had to serve 6 months). By the end of ,000 men were employed under this scheme.
Invisible unemployment – many historians argue that unemployed was worse under the Nazis. Many Jews and women wanted jobs but were forced to give up work. These were known as the invisible unemployed.
Rearmament decreased unemployment. Many men were classed as employed while serving in the army and as the army needed equipment, uniforms etc many more jobs were created
Not everyone benefitted equally from rising employment and improved living standards in Germany. Jews, for example, saw a decline in their quality of living
On average, the working week for a German rose from 43 hrs (1943) to 49 hrs (1939). Although workers were earning more, they were working longer hours to get this
Prices of goods increased in 1930s, those in high skilled jobs could afford this, but low skilled low paid jobs meant some workers were using their extra wages to cover the increased cost of living
The German Labour Front (DAF) ensured that workers had rights in the workplace, their working week was capped and a minimum wage was introduced.
Strength Through Joy (KDF) made activities such as days out, theatre trips and holidays affordable for hard workers. It meant many low paid workers had a better work-life balance
The German Labour Front (DAF) meant trade unions banned. Although there was a minimum wage, workers could no longer negotiate their pay, The working week was capped, but had actually increased and the DAF could punish unproductive workers
Many report that KDF holidays were strict and unenjoyable and just a propaganda opportunity.
Beauty of Labour (SDA) meant that work facilities improved.

5. Write your opinion and justify in two full sentences.
LO: To apply knowledge of employment and living standards in Germany to question 3d.
Task 3: Your Opinion
Under Hitler, the standard of living improved for the people of Germany. Do you agree?
Write your opinion and justify in two full sentences.

6. Task 4: Interpretations
LO: To apply knowledge of employment and living standards in Germany to question 3d.
Task 4: Interpretations
Interpretation 1:
From Life in Germany, Steve Waugh, 2009
From 1936 to 1939 wages increased, but this was due to a longer working day rather than an increase in hourly wage rates. In addition, the cost of living rose in 1930s, which meant that real wages (how much workers could buy) actually fell. There were also food shortages, because the government reduced agricultural production to keep up prices
Summarise this historians viewpoint in one full sentence.

7. Summarise this historians viewpoint in one full sentence.
LO: To apply knowledge of employment and living standards in Germany to question 3d.
Task 4: Interpretations
Interpretation 2:
From Nationalism, dictatorship and democracy in C20th Europe, Hall, 2015
For Germans who conformed to Nazi expectations, living standards went up. Unemployment dropped. Nazi statistics show that real wages rose … though only if a worker worked overtime. The ‘Strength Through Joy’ programme provided many extras. Some (benefits) such as loans and medical care were real enough
Summarise this historians viewpoint in one full sentence.

8. LO: To apply knowledge of employment and living standards in Germany to question 3d.
Task 5: Question 3d
How far do you agree with interpretation 2 about the extent to which living standards improved under the Nazis. Explain your answer using both interpretations and your own knowledge.
16 marks (+4 spag)

9. Task 5: Question 3d Step 1: Short Intro
LO: To apply knowledge of employment and living standards in Germany to question 3d.
Task 5: Question 3d
Step 1:
Short Intro
State the view given in interpretation 2 using evidence from the interpretation itself.
WAGOLL
Interpretation 2 supports the view that living standards improved under the Nazis. It claims that real wages improved for workers who worked overtime and the Strength Through Joy programme provided ‘real benefits’ such as health care and loans.

10. Task 5: Question 3d WAGOLL Step 2: Agree
LO: To apply knowledge of employment and living standards in Germany to question 3d.
Task 5: Question 3d
WAGOLL
It was certainly the case that for many Germans, the standard of living improved. Unemployment did reduce under the Nazis, as interpretation 2 states. From my own knowledge, I know that In 1933, Hitler set up the National Labour Service (RAD). It was a ‘back to work’ scheme which provided paid work for the unemployed and over 400,000 men had benefitted by In addition, Hitler’s rearmament policies employed thousands in the army and in roles supporting the military such as production of weapons and uniforms. In addition to this, Hitler’s ‘Strength Through Joy’ programme made outside of work activities such as theatre trips and holidays accessible to the working man, creating a work-life balance for many Germans. A further example of the ‘benefits’ referenced in interpretation 2 was the ‘people’s car’ scheme which helped workers to save for an affordable car. All of the above meant the standard of living for hardworking Germans did increase.
Step 2:
Agree
Agree with the view given in interpretation 2 using your own knowledge.

11. Task 5: Question 3d WAGOLL Step 3: Disagree
LO: To apply knowledge of employment and living standards in Germany to question 3d.
Task 5: Question 3d
WAGOLL
Interpretation 1, however, challenges the view that living standards improved stating instead that although wages did increase between it was due to an increased working day, rather than an increase in pay. It also states that as the cost of living rose during the 1930s, real wages fell meaning workers could buy less. This, combined with food shortages, meant that the standard of living actually decreased.
Step 3:
Disagree
Disagree with the view given in interpretation 2 using evidence from interpretation 1.

12. Task 5: Question 3d WAGOLL Step 4: Disagree (o.k)
LO: To apply knowledge of employment and living standards in Germany to question 3d.
Task 5: Question 3d
WAGOLL
From my own knowledge, I know that for many Germans unemployment and the standard of living did not increase. The Nazis used clever tactics to hide the fact that unemployment was still rife in Germany. For example, invisible employment was a scheme where women and Jews were forced out of work so that young men could fill their roles. These people were not classed as unemployed. In addition, the Nazis imprisoned thousands and sent many to concentration camps which further masked the reality of unemployment levels. Furthermore, schemes such as the ‘Strength Through Joy’ were unsuccessful with many claiming holidays were unenjoyable and nothing but Nazi propaganda opportunities. In addition, the German Labour Front banned Trade Unions, stripped workers of their rights to negotiate pay, increased the working day and punished uncooperative workers. A final point to challenge the view in interpretation 2 is the Beauty of Labour scheme, which on the face of it improved working conditions, but in reality forced workers to work overtime without pay to complete the building and decorating required. All of the above suggests that living standards for the majority did not improve.
Step 4:
Disagree (o.k)
Disagree with the view given in interpretation 2 using evidence from your own knowledge.

13. Task 5: Question 3d WAGOLL Step 5: Conclusion
LO: To apply knowledge of employment and living standards in Germany to question 3d.
Task 5: Question 3d
WAGOLL
Overall, I disagree with the view given in interpretation 2 as for the majority of people in Germany such Jews, women and low skilled workers, the standard of living did not improve. Many of the schemes implemented by Hitler and the Nazis were designed to benefit the state and prepare Germany for a war, rather than to improve the lives of the hard workers who had suffered through financial crises which had burdened Germany since the end of the First World War. Although Nazi statistics made it seem unemployment declined, the reality was it was no better than it had been under the previous government.
Step 5:
Conclusion
Make a final judgement on the interpretation given in interpretation 2.