Work and employment

• What was the focus of the rapid revision video?

  Life in Nazi Germany, specifically work and employment
• What economic event led to increased support for the Nazis in the 1930s?

  The Wall Street Crash and Great Depression
• How did Hitler promise to address unemployment in Germany?

  By reversing mass unemployment and improving living standards
• How many unemployed Germans were there in 1933?

  1. 8 million
• How many unemployed Germans were there by 1939?

  300,000
• What was the Reich Labor Service (RAD) established for?

  To provide work through infrastructure projects
• When did the RAD become compulsory for young men?

  In 1935
• What similarities did the RAD have with military conscription?

  Uniforms, camps, and military-style drills
• How many people were in the RAD by 1935?

  422,000
• What was the purpose of the autobahn project?

  To provide quick employment and improve transport
• When did construction on the autobahn begin?

  In 1933
• How many kilometers of autobahn were built by 1938?

  3,800 km
• How many men were employed in the autobahn project?

  125,000
• What was a secret purpose of the autobahn project?

  To enable faster military transport and mobilization
• What did rearmament fulfill for the Nazis?

  Election promises and military expansion
• How many soldiers were in the German Armed Forces by 1939?

  1. 3 million
• How much was invested in arms building by 1939?

  1. 5 billion marks
• How many people were building aircraft by 1939?

  72,000
• How did the standard of living vary during this period?

  It improved for some, worsened for others
• What was the percentage rise in wages by 1939 compared to 1933?

  20%
• How much did prices of food and essentials rise during the same period?

  45%
• What was the real impact of wage increases on workers' living standards?

  Most felt about 25% poorer in real terms
• How many hours did workers typically work per week?

  49 hours
• What was the exclusion of certain groups from employment figures?

  Jews and women were often excluded
• How did the Nazis disguise the scale of unemployment?

  By forcing people into the RAD and rearmament
• What was the impact of temporary jobs created by public projects?

  They disappeared once projects were completed
• What could have happened without the war in 1939?

  Another wave of unemployment might have occurred
• What were the key points regarding employment in Nazi Germany?

  • Unemployment dropped from 4.8 million to 300,000
  • RAD provided compulsory work with military discipline
  • Autobahn and public works created jobs
  • Wages rose by 20% but inflation offset gains
  • Exclusion of Jews and women from employment figures
  • Temporary jobs from public projects were unsustainable
• What were the main criticisms of Nazi employment policies?

  • Workers had to work longer hours
  • Many were excluded from the workforce
  • Temporary jobs created were not sustainable
  • The real standard of living decreased for many