Goerings Four Year Plan

Question 1

What was the Four-Year Plan (1936)?

Answer 1

A Nazi economic program led by Hermann Goering aiming to prepare Germany for war within four years and achieve economic self-sufficiency (autarky).

Question 2

What were the main aims of the Four-Year Plan?

Answer 2

Rearm the military rapidly.
Reduce reliance on foreign imports.
Expand autarky (especially in raw materials and food).
Control the economy more tightly.

Question 3

What role did Hermann Goering play in the Four-Year Plan?

Answer 3

Appointed by Hitler to lead the plan, Goering had wide powers over the economy, sidelining Schacht and focusing on rearmament and state intervention.

Question 4

How did the plan pursue autarky with synthetic goods?

Answer 4

Invested in research and production of ersatz goods — synthetic rubber (Buna), petrol from coal, and artificial fibres to replace imported materials.

Question 5

What were the agricultural goals of the Four-Year Plan?

Answer 5

Increase food production through subsidies, price controls, and use of modern fertilisers to reduce food imports.

Question 6

How did the plan affect German industry?

Answer 6

Heavy industry and arms production expanded rapidly, but consumer goods and living standards suffered due to resource prioritisation.

Question 7

What were the limitations or criticisms of the plan?

Answer 7

Inefficient bureaucracy, failure to fully achieve autarky, growing reliance on foreign raw materials by 1939, and Goering’s poor management skills.

Question 8

How did the Four-Year Plan differ from Schacht’s New Plan?

Answer 8

Schacht aimed for economic stability and trade partnerships; Goering pushed for rapid rearmament and self-sufficiency with greater state control.

Question 9

Was the Four-Year Plan a success?

Answer 9

It boosted rearmament and war readiness, but autarky was not fully achieved and Germany still relied on imports by 1939.