Life in Nazi Germany 1933 - 1939

• What type of state was Nazi Germany?

  Totalitarian state
• What was a significant part of Nazi Germany's appeal to the German people?


  Promising to make Germany's economy strong again
• What was Hitler's aim regarding employment by 1939?


  To achieve full employment
• What was the concept of autarky in Nazi Germany?


  A closed economy relying on its own resources
• What was one of the methods Hitler used to increase employment?


  Implementing a huge programme of public works
• What significant construction project created work for 80,000 men?


  The construction of the autobahns
• What was the impact of rearmament on employment in Nazi Germany?


  It created millions of jobs for German workers
• When was rearmament publicly announced in Nazi Germany?

  1935
• What was the National Labour Service (NLS) in Nazi Germany?


  A program where young men spent six months before conscription
• What groups were excluded from the employment statistics in Nazi Germany?

  1. 4 million men in the army, Jews, and women
• What was Hermann Göring's role in Nazi Germany's economy in 1937?


  He was made Economics Minister to achieve autarky
• What percentage of food was Germany still importing by the outbreak of World War Two?

  20 percent
• How did Nazi economic policies affect big businesses?


  They controlled over 70 percent of production by 1937
• What was the effect of rearmament on the incomes of major industrial companies?


  Incomes rose by 50 percent between 1933 and 1939
• What happened to small businesses under Nazi policies?


  20 percent of them closed due to tightened rules
• How did farmers benefit under Nazi rule?


  Agricultural prices increased by 20 percent by 1937
• What was the Hereditary Farm Law of 1933?


  It prevented farms from being repossessed from their owners
• What organizations did the Nazis set up to manage German workers?


  The Labour Front, Strength Through Joy, and Beauty of Labour
• What was the role of the Labour Front in Nazi Germany?


  It replaced Trades Unions and set wages
• What did the Strength Through Joy scheme offer workers?


  Rewards such as evening classes and cheap holidays
• What was the purpose of the Beauty of Labour organization?


  To improve working conditions and promote the value of work
• What were the overall living standards of German workers from 1933 to 1939?


  They did not improve significantly
• What happened to wages and working hours for industrial workers from 1933 to 1939?


  Wages fell while hours worked rose by 15 percent
• What was a consequence of questioning working conditions for workers?

  They could be blacklisted by employers
• What were the effects of Nazi economic policies on different groups in society?


  • Big businesses: Controlled over 70% of production; profits rose.
  • Small businesses: 20% closed due to tightened rules.
  • Farmers: Prices increased by 20%; Hereditary Farm Law provided security.
  • Industrial workers: Wages fell; hours increased; living standards did not improve.