17.2.5

Employment in Germany

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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’
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Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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