Germany - Life in Nazi Germany (2)

Question 1

What was Hitler’s view on Christianity?

Answer 1

Hitler had nothing but contempt for Christianity, but understood the influence of the Christian churches and he moved cautiously in his dealings with them.

Question 2

What did the concordat (treaty) signed between the Roman Catholic Church and the Nazi regime in 1933 guarantee?

Answer 2

It guaranteed the rights of the Roman Catholic Church in Germany, and in return the church promised not to engage in political activity.

Question 3

How did the Nazis violate the concordat with the Roman Catholic Church?

Answer 3

1 Restrictions were placed on Catholic schools
2 Catholic youth organisations were gradually brought under the control of the Hitler Youth
3 Priests and nuns were persecuted
4 Catholic press was closed down
5 Religious instruction in schools was phased out

Question 4

What was the Pope’s response to the breach of the concordat?

Answer 4

The Pope condemned the persecution of the Roman Catholic Church in the Reich calling it “illegal as it is inhuman”, and accused the Nazi regime of spreading “discord, hatred, and fundamental hostility to Christ and his Church”.

Question 5

Why did the Nazis find it much easier to deal with the Protestant churches?

Answer 5

Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, they were not part of an international organisation, and there was a long tradition in the Protestant denomination of loyalty to the state and obedience to authority.

Question 6

Elaborate on literature in Nazi Germany

Answer 6

1 Restrictions on what could be published
2 In May 1933 students and young people burned books considered ‘un-German’
3 The Reich Office of Literature had to approve all publications

Question 7

Elaborate on music in Nazi Germany

Answer 7

1 Classical music prevailed
2 Opera and music by non-Germans was tolerated provided it was acceptable
3 Jewish musicians and their music were banned
4 Other music (Eg. Modern experimental and jazz) were banned because of its black American origins

Question 8

Elaborate on architecture in Nazi Germany

Answer 8

1 It became functional and monumental, with buildings planned on enormous scale
2 Buildings important to the Nazi regime suggested strength and permanence
3 It was symbolic of the new order, it was a form of deliberate cultural expression as the buildings were to be the stage for the celebration of the Nazi movement

Question 9

Elaborate on art in Nazi Germany

Answer 9

1 Modern and abstract art was opposed (seen as depraved)
2 Hitler’s view on art was that it needed to be understood by the people
3 The style approved by the state centred on themes linked to nature, the family, heroic struggle and the Fatherland.
4 Art was seen as a way to express the National Socialist ideology and the concept of the ‘Volk’ or folk community
5 In the area of sculpture, large heroic figures depicting idealised themes of strength, sacrifice and the collective will were favoured
6 Paintings unacceptable to the regime were burnt

Question 10

How did the unemployment figures change with the Nazis in power?

Answer 10

When the Nazis came to power there were 6 million Germans unemployed. Within a year the figure had dropped to 4 million, and by 1939 there was a labour shortage.

Question 11

Why did unemployment fall?

Answer 11

1 A program of public works that had been planned by the Weimar governments was expanded and put into effect with an additional outlay of 1 billion reichsmarks.
2 Unemployment fell as women left the workforce
3 The worst of the depression had passed by 1932, and the government provided loans and tax concessions to business to re-equip plant and to employ more workers.

Question 12

In reference to economic recovery, what was Germany alone in?

Answer 12

Of all the modern industrial nations stricken by the Great Depression, Germany was the only one in the 1930s to completely recover from its effects.

Question 13

Who was Hjalmer Schacht?

Answer 13

President of the Reichsbank, he had assisted Stresemann to deal with the hyperinflation of 1923. His undoubted financial skills were put to work to manage Germany’s economic recovery.

Question 14

What was the 4 Year Plan?

Answer 14

In August 1936 Hitler dictated a secret memorandum on the state of the German economy and the need for German rearmament. Hitler set the tasks:
1 German armed forces must be operational within 4 years
2 German economy must be fit for war within 4 years

Question 15

Who was put in charge of the 4 Year Plan?

Answer 15

Hermann Goring

Question 16

Why did Hjalmer Schacht have an issue with the 4 Year Plan?

Answer 16

Since he managed the economy with great care, Schacht clashed with Goring over the cost and pace of rearmament. Hitler believed Schacht had become too cautious and in November 1937 Schacht resigned.

Question 17

Explain the relationship between the Nazis and the working-class

Answer 17

Although the Nazis:
1 Controlled the working-class
2 Restricted their wages
3 Increased working hours
4 Removed their ability to strike,
The fact remained that the economic policies of the regime could not be carried out without them

Question 18

What was the main role of the German Labour Front?

Answer 18

To educate and indoctrinate the workers to accept their role in the new Germany.

Question 19

What was the Beauty of Labour (‘Schonheit der Arbeit’)?

Answer 19

Set up in November 1933, its aim was to improve the workers’ physical working conditions.

Question 20

How were conditions for workers improved?

Answer 20

1 Washrooms were built
2 New canteens were opened to provide hot meals
3 Better ventilation and light in the work-place
4 Lawns and gardens replaced asphalt
5 In many factories recreation facilities were constructed

Question 21

What was the Strength Through Joy (‘Kraft durch Freude) movement?

Answer 21

An organisation set up to provide for the leisure time of the German workers. The Nazis believed this would result in greater motivation to daily work.

Question 22

How did the German Labour Front attempt to win the loyalty of the working-class?

Answer 22

They financed the development of the Strength Through Joy car, a name soon changed to the People’s Car (Volkswagen). The Volkswagen was to be a symbol of the new society where in the national community class barriers came down. The first cars were produced in 1938, but war broke out before mass production could begin.