NAZI DICTATORSHIP 1933-45
Economic recovery was a priority after the Depression in 1929:
1935 – National Labour Service – all men aged 18-25 served 6 months working on public schemes –
Reduced unemployment (5 million to 0.3 million) and wages rose by 25%; hated by the people for
long hours/low pay
Cost of food increased, working hours increased from 1936, no trade unions (cancels our wage
increase)
If a worker complained they’d be ‘blacklisted’
1935 – conscription into the army – reduced unemployment
1936-1940 – 4 Year Plan – rearmament 25 billion marks in 39(weapons, vehicles, equipment) and
autarky (self-sufficiency). Latter failed – by 1939 still 1/3 of raw materials imported as people become
richer and food shortages
Strength Through Joy Scheme – workers gain rewards for working hard
Beauty of Labour Scheme to improve working conditions – not used
WW2 IMPACT –
Rationing of food
4 year plan failure led to shortage of equipment and weapons
Total war in 1943 – everyone for war effort
Shortage of labour – needed women, Hitler youth and prisoners of war
Black market only way to survive
Bombing, 70% Dresden, and 7 million homeless
WOMEN IN GERMANY –
‘K’s: Kinder (children), Küche (Kitchen), Kirche (Church).
1933 Law for the Encouragement of Marriage – 1000 marks loan + keep 25% for each child
Medals for childbirth – bronze 4, silver 6, gold 8
Discouraged from working and banned from professional jobs 1933 – needed for labour effort for
rearmament: 2.4 million increase by 1939
Schools taught domestic skills to women
By 1937, girls in grammar school couldn’t go uni
DFW German Women’s Enterprise did this – 6 million members so it was popular
YOUTH –
Young German Folk + Hitler Youth 10--18 boys
Young girs + League of German Maidens 10—18 girls
Compulsory in 1936
Boys will be future soldiers and political leaders – exercise and training
Girls will be future mothers – cooking and home chores
Nazi’s Teachers Association to indoctrinate children with Nazi ideology – curriculum tailored (more
focus of PE and History taught Nazi power + Eugenics) and books approved by Nazi’s
10% of youth rebelled – Edelweiss Pirates, White Rose group and Swing Youth
Some found it exciting and enjoyable with friends
THE CHURCH –
Reich Church founded in 1933
Banned Old Testament and non-Aryans ministers banned
Nazi influence in sermons
Economic recovery was a priority after the Depression in 1929:
1935 – National Labour Service – all men aged 18-25 served 6 months working on public schemes –
Reduced unemployment (5 million to 0.3 million) and wages rose by 25%; hated by the people for
long hours/low pay
Cost of food increased, working hours increased from 1936, no trade unions (cancels our wage
increase)
If a worker complained they’d be ‘blacklisted’
1935 – conscription into the army – reduced unemployment
1936-1940 – 4 Year Plan – rearmament 25 billion marks in 39(weapons, vehicles, equipment) and
autarky (self-sufficiency). Latter failed – by 1939 still 1/3 of raw materials imported as people become
richer and food shortages
Strength Through Joy Scheme – workers gain rewards for working hard
Beauty of Labour Scheme to improve working conditions – not used
WW2 IMPACT –
Rationing of food
4 year plan failure led to shortage of equipment and weapons
Total war in 1943 – everyone for war effort
Shortage of labour – needed women, Hitler youth and prisoners of war
Black market only way to survive
Bombing, 70% Dresden, and 7 million homeless
WOMEN IN GERMANY –
‘K’s: Kinder (children), Küche (Kitchen), Kirche (Church).
1933 Law for the Encouragement of Marriage – 1000 marks loan + keep 25% for each child
Medals for childbirth – bronze 4, silver 6, gold 8
Discouraged from working and banned from professional jobs 1933 – needed for labour effort for
rearmament: 2.4 million increase by 1939
Schools taught domestic skills to women
By 1937, girls in grammar school couldn’t go uni
DFW German Women’s Enterprise did this – 6 million members so it was popular
YOUTH –
Young German Folk + Hitler Youth 10--18 boys
Young girs + League of German Maidens 10—18 girls
Compulsory in 1936
Boys will be future soldiers and political leaders – exercise and training
Girls will be future mothers – cooking and home chores
Nazi’s Teachers Association to indoctrinate children with Nazi ideology – curriculum tailored (more
focus of PE and History taught Nazi power + Eugenics) and books approved by Nazi’s
10% of youth rebelled – Edelweiss Pirates, White Rose group and Swing Youth
Some found it exciting and enjoyable with friends
THE CHURCH –
Reich Church founded in 1933
Banned Old Testament and non-Aryans ministers banned
Nazi influence in sermons
