Topic 7: Economic changes Flashcards
How did the Nazis reduce unemployment?
1) Public works programmes: 2000 miles of new motorways were built, as well as schools hospitals and houses. This provided jobs for workers so unemployment was quickly reduced.
2) National labour service (RAD): In 1935 it became compulsory for all 19-25 year old men to do 6 months labour service. In 1939 it was extended to women too. Most men worked in agriculture of public work programmes, and work seemed to be physically hard. They were given food and lodging but were payed very less. Life in the RAD was strict and they were treated as if they were in the army.
3) Rearmament: From 1636, 2/3 of gov spending went on rearmament. New naval equipment, uniform and weapons being produced provided millions of jobs ion the factories. Industry grew. Growth in the economy and the increasing size of the army boosted national pride.
4) Taking people of the unemployment register: Women were pressured to give up paid work and weren’t included in the employment statistics. Many Jewish people lost their jobs but weren’t included on the unemployment register. Conscription was introduced in 1935 and men aged 18-25 had to do 2 years of military service. People working on RAD schemes weren’t counted as unemployed.
What was the impact of the changes the Nazis made to the economy?
What was the impact of war on the economy and the German people?
1) Morale drops: Goering’s four year plan targets weren’t’ met and by 1939 the Germans were not fully prepared for a war. There were shortages of fuel oil and steel but their morale was still high This was because things seemed to be going well. In 1941, German forces had invaded the USSR and by the end of 1942 German forces had conquered nearly all of Europe. However it begins to go wrong in 1943 when their forces were driven back in USSR, Africa and Southern Europe. Bad new was kept from the public. From 1943 morale and support began to drop.
2) Labour shortages: The German economy suffered from labour shortages as men were being drafted into the army. By 1944 13 million men were serving the army. The Nazis tried to encourage the employment of women and put greater numbers of concentration camp prisoners to work as forced labour. Most industries were now catering the war effort and factories that had produced car and clothing now manufactured weapons. Workers had to work extra shifts, holidays were banned and hours were increased to a min of 60 per week.
3) Rationing: Food shortages were caused by a large number of farm labourers joining the army, clothing shortages were also present. Germans were sent out ration coupons restricting them to a diet of bread, potatoes and veggies. They’d had a reasonable diet till 1944 when rations were severely cut as Germany was running out of food. By 1945 it was clear that food was close to running out and they were going to face a defeat.
4) Bombing: As the war progressed, the allied bombing of German cities increased. Hitler had promised that German cities would never be bombed. By 1943 British and American bombers were targeting civilian areas in day and night-time raids. The allied bombing campaigns caused massive destruction killing 350,000 people, injuring 780,000 and destroying 2 million homed. It also destroyed factories, roads and canals. This made it more difficult to produce and transport the goods the German people needed.
5) Refugees: By 1945 the allies were advancing into Germany and in the East this turned many Germans into refugees as they fled from the Russian army. People fleeing received little help, transport was used for the German army and the refugees had to walk on foot. Cold, hinger and disease meant that half a million Germans died fleeing. Those that survived found that West Germany was no better ad many Germans were already homeless and facing starvation from food shortages.
