1. Nazi Society

2. “Volksgemeinschaft” Nazi target was a racially ‘pure’ and harmonious national community Problem was to win over the working classes – traditionally supported socialists or communists In 1933 TUs still powerful and in theory had means to resist Hitler

3. The Nazis and the Workers (1) After 1933 only Nazi party was permitted Many working class leaders were first victims of the concentration camps Trade Unions combined into the German Labour Front (DAF) – under Robert Ley Strikes were made illegal and conditions of service worsened

4. Nazis and the workers (2) Hitler introduced combination of material improvement and state welfare to win support from workers Unemployment fell from 6 million to 100,000 (by 1939) Employment provided by public works schemes, labour service and armed forces

5. State Paternalism The state saw itself as the provider and protector for all workers Robert Ley set up 2 organisations: Schönheit der Arbeit (Beauty of Labour) to persuade employers to improve conditions Kraft durch Freude (Strength through Joy) provided state sponsored leisure activities & cheap holidays

6. Labour relations Jan 1934 Law for the Ordering of National Labour (Nazi vision of labour-employer relations) Factories to be inspected by Trustees of Labour & disputes resolved by Courts of Honour All workers to work together for the common good of the nation

7. Success/Failure of policy Most enjoyed rise in real wages Skilled workers benefited from return to full employment Working week increased 44 hours (in 1933) to 60 hours (by 1944) Industrial accidents & illnesses rose by 150% between 1933 and ’39 There were strikes and examples of sabotage, go-slows and absenteeism After 1936 increased sense of indifference

8. Working classes & the War (1) Up to 1942 morale kept up, mainly by military successes Nazis imposed wage freeze rather than cut in 1939 Night work & holiday bonuses restored after protests Little opposition to rationing system

9. Working classes & the War (2) Morale began to decline after failure to defeat Russia & declaration of war on USA Air raids from 1942 generated solidarity Goebbels raised morale by visiting bombed out towns ‘Total War’ speech could not hide desperate situation However there was hostility to July Bomb Plot

10. The ‘Mittelstand’ Small business owners, traders, shopkeepers, craft workers – loyal to Hitler Regime stopped opening of new department stores Cut-price competition banned Small businesses given preferential treatment Low interest loans & share in Jewish trade

11. Success of policy? Initially policy was successful Hitler’s priority of providing jobs better met by large companies Small traders could not compete with department stores and were affected by price freezes 1943 250,000 small shops out of business Not helped by re-armament programme

12. Nazis and the Farmers Peasant farmer held up as role model Policy of ‘Blood and Soil’ to protect rural community Help given by Reich Entailed Farm Law 1933 Establishment of Reich Food Estate to supervise farms Little attempt made to re-distribute land

13. Women and Nazism (1) Role of women defined by the 3 Ks-Kinder, Küche, Kirche All women’s organisations brought into Women’s Front Women forced to give up work Labour shortages saw women return to work Percentage of women at work high despite ideology but high level in workforce already

14. Women and Nazism (2) Regime embarked on policy of proto-natalism Young couples encouraged by marriage loans Repayment reduced by number of children Family Allowances for those on low incomes Mother’s Cross introduced in 1939 Birth rate stayed low ‘Lebensborn’ (Fountain of Life)

15. Young People - HJ Importance of this group to the ‘1000 Year Reich’ Boys to become soldiers, girls to be mothers By 1935 60% of German youth was part of the HJ 1939 Hitler Youth Law made membership compulsory

16. How successfully did the Nazis win over the young? Membership numbers suggest high level of success However membership made compulsory 1939! Growth of youth gangs eg Edelweiss Pirates and Navajos Refused to conform and even fought against the Nazis eg encouraging soldiers to desert Nazi reaction (some were executed) shows how seriously regime viewed the problem

17. Nazis & Education Teachers purged – by 1937 97% teachers were members of members of NSLB 1939 2/3rds teachers has attended Nazi indoctrination courses Adolf Hitler School set up Curriculum changed – sport, history, biology and German studies upgraded Academic learning not encouraged!