When Hitler came to power in 1933 he had THREETHREE economic priorities

1.To reduce the huge unemployment rate

of 6.1 million2.To control the economy

3.To prepare the economy for war

The Nazis forced many women to leave their The Nazis forced many women to leave their employment for ideological reasons. They employment for ideological reasons. They believed the role of women was in the believed the role of women was in the home. home.

They also forced Jewish people to leave their They also forced Jewish people to leave their jobs. jobs.

They did not count women and Jews in the They did not count women and Jews in the jobless figures reducing it substantially. jobless figures reducing it substantially.

Men would have benefited from the Men would have benefited from the new jobs.new jobs.

In 1935 In 1935 all males from 18-35all males from 18-35 were were forced to join the army. For at forced to join the army. For at least two years.least two years.  The army grew from 100,000 to The army grew from 100,000 to 1.5million1.5million  This cut over 1 million men from This cut over 1 million men from the unemployedthe unemployed  

Hitler wanted to prepare Germany for Hitler wanted to prepare Germany for war. He began to REARM producing Guns, war. He began to REARM producing Guns, tanks, ships and planes. tanks, ships and planes.   Hitler wanted Germany to be a great Hitler wanted Germany to be a great power again and to reverse Versailles.power again and to reverse Versailles.  Producing these would provide huge Producing these would provide huge orders for German factories and work for orders for German factories and work for millions. However it was hugely expensive millions. However it was hugely expensive for Germanyfor Germany    

Hitler set about to organise the unemployed in Hitler set about to organise the unemployed in a way which would benefit Germany. He a way which would benefit Germany. He formed the RAD formed the RAD   • All men aged between 18-25 had to spend 6 All men aged between 18-25 had to spend 6 months in the RAD.months in the RAD.• They built Germanys first MOTORWAYS They built Germanys first MOTORWAYS (Autobahns)(Autobahns)•They planted new forests. They planted new forests. •They built hospitals and schools. They built hospitals and schools. •The men were uniformed and lived in camps.The men were uniformed and lived in camps.•They were paid very little but had all their They were paid very little but had all their meals provided. meals provided.       

a) Unemployment fell from 6 million in 1932 to 0.4 mill in 1939! A massive success.

b) His RAD work schemes were very successful - reduced unemployment, popular with the public, taught men new skills and led to major public improvements

c) Autobahns, Land reclamation and new forests.

d) Working conditions were improved with Strength through Joy. Workers had new sports clubs & holidays.

 

a) Unemployment did fall BUT Hitler removed Women and Jews from the workforce - these were not not countedcounted in unemployment figures

b) The RAD was successful BUT it kept men in low low paid controlled paid controlled employmentemployment.

c) The Autobahns too were successful BUT they were intended for warintended for war - They could be used to transport troops quickly to war zones.

d) Working conditions did improve BUT mostly only only for Nazi party membersfor Nazi party members 

  

e) Consumer goods became popular and industry grew

 f) Germany was stronger and more

self sufficient. Its army was only being built up to that of a European power?

  

e) The VW Beetle was never delivered to a German citizen as production went into the war. 

f) Germany did experience industrial growth BUT it was a lot to do with REARMAMENT -and preparing for war

g) Germany was NOT self sufficient by 1939 - It still imported 1/3rd of its raw materials. 

   

PRODUCE A POSTER FOR THE KDF ORGANISATIONPRODUCE A POSTER FOR THE KDF ORGANISATION

• It should attract workers to join

• It should show what the organisation believes and what it provides

• It should have information as well as including pictures and titles

Hitler wanted to control every area of peoples Hitler wanted to control every area of peoples lives. This included their leisure time. lives. This included their leisure time. •The Nazis calculated that the average The Nazis calculated that the average German had about German had about 10 hours free10 hours free for leisure for leisure every day! This equalled every day! This equalled 3740 per year3740 per year! !

Hitler had a special organisation called Hitler had a special organisation called KDF KDF Strength through Joy Strength through Joy It was led by It was led by Dr Robert LeyDr Robert Ley..It was responsible for organising German It was responsible for organising German peoples leisure activities. peoples leisure activities.

He organised a huge programme of activities He organised a huge programme of activities and rewards to fill peoples time and make and rewards to fill peoples time and make them better Nazis.them better Nazis.

• Skiing or walking holidays in the Alps Skiing or walking holidays in the Alps were cheap and affordable. (about 1 were cheap and affordable. (about 1 weeks wages) weeks wages) • Hitler’s new autobahns helped make Hitler’s new autobahns helped make travel easier. 3 week tours of Italy travel easier. 3 week tours of Italy were also available to the best were also available to the best workers.workers.  

• 2 huge cruise ships were built.2 huge cruise ships were built.

• They offered low cost tours to the They offered low cost tours to the Canary islands for the best Nazi Canary islands for the best Nazi workersworkers  

•The Volkswagen Beetle was the The Volkswagen Beetle was the Peoples carPeoples car•This was intended to be for German This was intended to be for German workers.workers.• It was to be made easily available on It was to be made easily available on a savings scheme. Millions saved for a savings scheme. Millions saved for one BUT the money went into weapons one BUT the money went into weapons instead! instead!     

Over 7 million took part in KDF Sports Over 7 million took part in KDF Sports matches!matches!  

    

The KDF even had its own touring The KDF even had its own touring band. Millions saw plays musicals and band. Millions saw plays musicals and operas for the 1st time!operas for the 1st time!