Living Under Nazi Rule- Occupation

Question 1

The impact of Nazi policies on men and women

Answer 1

. The Nazis greatly improved life for workers. During the election of 1932, unemployment was at 6 million but by 1939, unemployment dropped to 35,000 out of 25 million men. Wages were still frozen at 1933 levels and rising prices meant they were still not enough to feed a family. Welfare had been cut by the Nazis and so the industrial workers were worse off under the Nazis

2. The Deutsche Arbeistfront (DAF) was designed to organise all aspects of life. It offered subsidised tickets for holidays, theatre and gyms which was very popular and by 1939, it had 29 million members. It aimed to improve the workplace by building new toilets, showers and facilities and tackled unemployment. They also crated the Volkswagen scheme which meant that if they paid 5 marks per week they would eventually earn a car. No one received a car as WWII stopped production
3. The Nazis had idealised views on women. They weren’t allowed to smoke as it could lead to miscarriage, no make up, dress in German traditional clothes and should be ‘physically robust’ to bear children. They should also be part of the National Socialist Women’s League which gave training in domestic duties such as cleaning and cooking.
4. Policies were introduced to encourage motherhood with loans for women who were getting married. Marriages increased from 516,000 in 1932 to 772,000 in 1939 and births rose. Women were given medals for the number of children they gave birth to. However, the number of women in jobs and higher education fell as they were discouraged to take these types of places

Question 2

The lives of young people in Nazi Germany

Answer 2

1. In 1933, politically unreliable teachers were forced to resign. Jewish teachers were banned from teaching in non-Jewish schools and a Teachers League was established where teachers had to do military style exercises and learn Nazi ideology. If they stepped out of line, they were in fear of pupils acting as classroom spies
2. The Nazis also set up their own specialist schools. The Napola or military cadet schools were set up and run by SS and SA officers and the Adolf Hitler Schools were run by the leaders of the Hitler Youth, designed to create future leaders of the party. Neither were successful though.
3. The curriculum was controlled with old textbooks thrown out and teachers sent a constant stream of orders about what to teach as they Nazified the curriculum. There was lots of PE, and focus on the Aryan race.
4. The Hitler Youth was set up in the late 1920s and at first was voluntary but after 1936 it was compulsory to join. The Nazis also shut down other youth groups and activities included preparation for the military whereas girls were concentrated on domestic duties. Holiday camps were very popular with working classes. However, some were bored or resented the Hitler Youth, especially those who didn’t enjoy physical activities.

Question 3

Jewish Persecution

Answer 3

1. The Nazis believed that Aryans were the strongest race, having blond hair and blue eyes. The Jewish people received the most hatred and the Nuremburg Laws of 1935 defined anyone with three or four Jewish grandparents as Jewish even if they didn’t have any belief in the faith.
2. Social exclusion increased in the 1930s with signs saying ‘Jews not wanted here’ becoming common. They were often humiliated in the streets by the SA or police and publications portrayed Jewish people as money-grabbers and Communists who were intent on destroying Germany
3. In 1933, Jewish people were excluded from all legal professions, in 1935 the Nuremburg Laws made marriage between Jewish people and other Germans punishable, in 1938, Jewish people had to have a J printed on their passports and in 1939, Jewish emigrants were not allowed to take any valuables with them and had to hand over all gold, jewellery and valuables to the state
4. On 7 November 1938, a German embassy official was assassinated by a Polish Jew. On 9 November, 267 synagogues were destroyed, 7500 Jewish-owned establishments had their windows smashed and contents looted and at least 91 Jews were murdered. At the same time the SS and Gestapo arrested up to 30,000 Jewish men and sent them to concentration camps. This was Kristallnacht (Night of the Broken Glass)