16.2.5

Employment in Germany

Test yourself

Employment

The German people turned to the Nazis because they promised to make the German economy strong again. The Nazis needed to focus on reducing unemployment and improving life for German citizens.

Illustrative background for New jobsIllustrative background for New jobs ?? "content

New jobs

  • Hitler reduced unemployment by creating new jobs for men.
    • Men were employed to work on public construction projects. These included public buildings, creating farmlands, the 1936 Olympic Stadium and building 7,000 km of autobahns (motorways).
Illustrative background for The National Labour Service (RAD)Illustrative background for The National Labour Service (RAD) ?? "content

The National Labour Service (RAD)

  • The National Labour Service (RAD) made it compulsory for men aged 18-25 to work on public schemes for 6 months.
    • Most men disliked RAD because they felt exploited (treated unfairly for others’ benefit). Wages were very low and they worked long hours.
Illustrative background for Other schemesIllustrative background for Other schemes ?? "content

Other schemes

  • All workers had to join the German Labour Front. This organisation was used to keep workers loyal to the Nazis and disguise the lack of any huge improvement to their standard of living.
  • The Strength Through Joy scheme gave workers rewards if they worked hard. This included going to the theatre or having a holiday.
  • The Beauty of Labour scheme planned to improve working conditions. But nothing was often done about it.
Illustrative background for Effect of Hitler's policiesIllustrative background for Effect of Hitler's policies ?? "content

Effect of Hitler's policies

  • Hitler boasted that unemployment fell from 5 million in 1933 to 0.3 million in 1939.
  • In this statistic, Hitler did not include the Jews and women forced out of their jobs, or the men conscripted (drawn) into the National Labour Service.
    • There was a lot of ‘invisible unemployment’
.

Jump to other topics

1The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

1.1Anglo-Saxon England

1.2The Contest for the English Throne

1.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

1.4King John

1.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

1.6The Black Death

2Worldviews

3The Empire of Mali

4The Renaissance & Reformations, 1500-1598 AD

5The British Empire, 1583-1960 AD

6The Peasants' Revolt

7Religion in the Middle Ages

8Slavery, 1619-1833 AD

9The English Civil War, 1642-1660

10The Industrial Revolution, 1750-1840

11US Independence, 1775-1783

12The French Revolution, 1789-1815

13The British Empire, 1857–1930

14Suffrage

15World War 1, 1914-1918

16The Inter-War Years, 1919-1939

17World War 2, 1939-1945

18The Cold War, 1947-1962

19Civil Rights in the USA, 1954-1975

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson