Unemployment and the workers in the Nazi state

• Nazis had rose to power after a rise of unemployment, after using the slogan 'Work and Bread', they needed to deliver on their promises. There aims were to:

  • reduce the high unemployment
  • prepare for war and ensure the nation was self-sufficient
  • bring workers more firmly under their control
• Reducing unemployment:

  In 1933, unemployment in Germany was at 6 million, however by 1939, unemployment was down to around 500,000. These were the Nazis policies:

  As part of the New Plan, they doubled spending on public works. Jobs were created, including the construction of the Olympic Stadium.

  They broke the ToV and increased the army from 100,000 to 900,000 by 1938.

  They invested money in private businesses to create jobs.
• Reducing unemployment:

  The fall in unemployment isn't that accurate. 'The hidden unemployed' were not counted in these statistics due to the Nazis being selective in who counted:

  Women and Jewish people weren't included.

  Temporary and seasonal workers were counted as being in full time employment. (this brought down the numbers by about 1,000,000)

  After 1935, unemployed men had to serve six months in the National Labour Service. They were no longer counted as unemployed.
• Ensuring self-sufficiency:

  Herman Goering and the Four-Year-Plan were used to make Germany self-sufficient:

  Scientists were able to; use coal to make oil and artificial rubber, paper pulp to make textiles, flour to create cosmetics and acorns to make coffee.

  By 1939, Germany was self-sufficient in bread, potatoes and sugar.

  Domestic production of iron, coal and steel increased dramatically.
• Ensuring self-sufficiency:

  Germany was still very far from being fully self-sufficient:

  Food rationing became necessary, by which time 15 percent of food was still being imported.

  Imports of raw materials led to an overall rise in imports, 4.5million tonnes in 1933 to 21million tonnes in 1938.
• Bringing workers under Nazi control:

  The Nazis replaced trade unions, which were banned in 1933, with the German Labour Front (DAF). The DAF included employers and employees and ensured efficient running of industry. The DAF had many functions which all added up to great Nazi control over workers' employment and leisure time.
• Bringing workers under Nazi control:

  How the Nazis controlled working conditions - positive:

  • Beauty of Labour (SDA) encouraged employers to provide; canteens serving hot meals, improved toilets and showers, improved ventilation and sport and leisure facilities.
  • Workers' wages increased.
• Bringing workers under Nazi control:

  How the Nazis controlled working conditions - negative:

  • Working hours increased by 10 percent.
  • Due to cost of living rising, wages were worth less.
  • Costs of improvement in workplaces were often deducted from workers' wages.
• Bringing workers under Nazi control:

  How the Nazis controlled leisure time - positive:

  • Strength Through Joy (KDF) offered; subsidised holidays and cruises, cheap tickets for the theatre, sporting events and concerts, subsidised train tickets and discounted hotels.
• Bringing workers under Nazi control:

  How the Nazis controlled leisure time - negative:

  • All KDF activities included some propaganda content.
  • KDF create the Volkswagen scheme - workers made weekly payments towards a car, however due to WW2 stopping production, these cars were never delivered.