The Nazi Economy Pt 2 Flashcards
Were the Nazi’s successful in reducing unemployment?
- ‘Battle for Work’ policies were heavily successful brought 1929 depression to an end
- 1932, 5.6 million unemployment
- 1938, 0.4 million labour shortage
Were the Nazi’s successful in agricultural policies?
- Incomes went up by 41% between 1933 and 1938
- This was not that great compared to trade and industry
- Attempt to reform landholding was met with limited success in the face of landowner opposition
How was worker welfare?
- Road-building workers paid under welfare, lived in barracks and harsh work discipline
- Airfield workers paid lowest rates and number of workers leaving at 16 increased
- Larger numbers of women between 1936 and 39 entered employment especially in electrical engineering on armament orders
- Life was minimally better from 1939 compared to 1930-32
Who was Todts replacement and what did he do?
- Albert Speer convinced Hitler that armaments minister needed to be in full charge
- Decree of 22nd April 1942 set up Central Planning Board to distribute raw materials, factory usage and transportation
- Variety of committees with specialists and engineers
What were Albert Speer’s policies?
- Encouraged a policy of industrial self-responsibility, controls placed on businesses (Central Planning Board), this ended competition and gave him overall control of the economy?
- Speer allowed industrialists a considerable degree of freedom and by breaking power of the armed forces over production
Were Speer’s policies a success?
- Between 1942 and 44 weapon output trebled
- Resources allocated only increased from 10 to 15%
- This was achieved through greater efficiency, savings across the war economy in capital and labour & increased employment of foreign labour
What caused limited success of Speer’s policies?
- This was due to strategic bombing which placed a ceiling on Germany’s effort
Name the effects of allied bombing on Speer’s policies?
- By 1944 decline in aircraft output by 31%, military vehicles declined 40% and tanks 35%
- Undermined Germany as a military force in 1944-45
Name the effects of allied bombing on Speer’s policies? (2)
- By 1943 diverted 2 million men and 50,000 artillery pieces
- 1/3 of all production of German heavy guns and radar electrical equipment was diverted for allied bombing
- Breakdown of communications, the shortage of raw material and a lack of labour meant war could not be continued
Name some of the signs of Germany having an overstretched economy by 1945?
- Allied bombing had wiped out factories, mines, towns and transport links
- Loss of land that had provided raw materials, e.g Upper Silesia’s coal
- Damage to electricity, gas and water supplies
- Sabotage by foreign workers, e.g ‘mistakes’ with equipment and machinery
What was the impact of Hitlers war plans on consumers?
- Failed to take care of the people (food consumption)
- They had introduced a rationing system early and 25% decline in consumption per head between 1939 and 41
- Diet of black rye bread, potatoes and vegetables
- Propaganda did encourage people to save
What was the impact on women of Hitlers war policies?
- Exceptionally high number of women working in 1939, more than Britain
- 1940-41 women moved into heavy industry, worked long hours with little help until foreign labour came
- Women were put into work before foreign labour which went directly against Nazi aims
What was the impact of employment of foreign labour?
- End of 1944 over 8 million foreigners working in Germany
- First full time workers began to leave from France and Belgium in 1940 when their economies went in the bin
What conquered territory played a key role in employment of foreign labour?
- Poland
- Hans Frank was ordered to recruit 1 million workers
- Only in 1942 was the 1 million level reached
