economic policies

• • Unemployment fell massively during the Nazis’ time in power.
  • Some of this was due to jobs being created by banning Jews from working or persuading women to stay at home.
• • Nazis employed tens of thousands of men in public building works and also the creation of motorways.
  • As these men worked they earned money to spend, which created more employment.
• • The Nazis introduced the KdF (Strength through Joy) organisation to offer subsidised holidays or activities.
  • The Nazis also tried to persuade employers to improve working conditions.
  • Joy at Work aimed to introduce better lighting and ventilation, for example.
• ANALYSIS (FOR)

  • Germans were happier due to the improved workplace conditions that Strength through Joy brought.
  • Many Germans also benefitted from wage rises too.
• ANALYSIS (AGAINST)

  • Improvements in employment and wages do not tell the full story.
  • Germans also worked longer hours and paid higher taxes, so their lives were not always hugely improved.
• EVALUATION (FOR)

  • After the economic disasters of the 1920s, the German people wanted stability.
  • Nazi policies appeared to reduce unemployment, leaving most Germans happy (although Jews often paid the price).