Life in Nazi Germany 1933-39 Flashcards
Nazi policies towards women at work
Women shouldn’t work, especially those married. Many professional women lost their jobs and were replaced by men and from 1933-36, the number of employed married women fell.
Nazi policies towards women in marriage
Women should get married. The Marriage law 1933 initiated vouchers for household items such as furniture to newly married couples if the woman agreed to stop working. Marriage numbers increased, but wasn’t clear whether it was due to Nazi policy or other reasons such as a stronger economy.
Nazi policies towards women having children
The German Women Enterprise awarded women medals for having children and ran classes and radio programmes for home-based matters. There were 6 million women in the German Womens Enterprise, suggesting they welcomed Nazi policies.
Nazi aims for young people
Nazis wanted children to be proud Germans who supported a strong, independent country as well as loyal supporters of the Nazi party who believed in Nazi policies, preparing them for their future roles as adults.
Boys were expected to be strong and healthy to work for Germanys economy and the German armed forces. Girls were expected to be strong and healthy to be strong wives and fertile mothers.
Nazi Youth organisations and activities
There were 4 youth groups: German Young Folk, Young Girls, Hitler Youth and the League of German Maidens.
Boys took part in military-style camps, shooting and the formed military brigade to protect Berlin in 1945. Whereas, girls took part in cooking, housework and learning what to look for in a good husband. Both learnt about Hitler and racial superiority as well as taking part in Nazi marches and rallies.
Nazi control of education - teachers
It was compulsory that all teachers were members of the Nazi party. They undertaken teachers’ camps to learn ways to embed Nazi ideals into their teachings and were all part of the Nazi Teachers League.
Nazi control of education - subjects
15% of the time was PE to ensure a healthy and strong population. Both sexes were taught traditional subjects as well as new subjects: Race studies and Nazi eugenics. Girls were taught domestic skills whereas boys were taught science and military skills.
Nazi control of education - propaganda
All lessons began and ended with the Hitler salute and Nazi flags and posters decorated classrooms. From 1935, all textbooks had to be approved by the Nazi party and traditional subjects were rewritten to glorify Germany.
National Labour Service (RAD)
Introduced by the Weimar Republic but continued by the Nazis
- made it compulsory for all men aged 18-25 to serve 6 months in the scheme
- worked on job creation schemes and other public works such as draining marshes
- many hated the RAD due to long hours, low pay and the work was boring
Job creation schemes
The Nazis reduced unemployment by investing money into large projects. This improved the economy and reduced unemployment by construction projects.
- 7000km autobahns (motorways) connecting up Germany
- public building
- sporting facilities such as the stadium for the Berlin Olympics in 1936
Invisible employment
Official government figures showed unemployment numbers but did not include:
Jews being forced out of work
Women leaving or being dismissed from work
Men under age 25 doing National Labour service
Political opponents of the Nazi regime sent to concentration camps.
Numbers of unemployed fell from 4.8m in 1933 to 0.4m in 1939, however did not include those invisibly unemployed
Strength through Joy (kDf)
This scheme gave workers rewards for working hard to increase productivity by keeping them happy. It provided low-cost, free activities such as concerts, theatre trips and holidays. The aims of Strength through Joy was to support the Führer and thank him for keeping everybody happy after the abolition of trade unions.
Volkswagen (people’s car)
A scheme of the KDF was promoting car ownership. Hitler asked Porsche to design a family friendly car and the VW Beetle was the result. Workers paid 5 marks a week until 1939, when nobody had paid enough so the money went towards rearmament and the armed forces for the beginning of World War 2.
Beauty of Labour (sDa)
The job of this organisation was to see working as good, and that everybody who could work should.
It encouraged factory owners to improve conditions for their workers. The Beauty of Labour organisation improved working conditions in some areas by reducing noise at work, providing canteens as well as sporting facilities. Workers had to construct these in their spare time, so it wasn’t very popular.
Boycott of Jewish shops and businesses 1933
April 1933, the Nazis ordered a boycott of all Jewish shops and businesses, which lasted for one day.
The SA painted a yellow star on doors and discouraged people from going inside, however, many German citizens ignored the ban and continued to use Jewish-owned businesses as usual.
