iGCSE Revision (Fact Sheets) Weimar & Nazi Germany€¦ · • in the first four years of the...

iGCSE Revision (Fact Sheets)

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Weimar & Nazi

Germany


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Overview Narrative

The purpose of the overview narrative is to give you a ‘big picture’ – it is not sufficient on its

own as revision – you must learn the detail by going through the fact cards carefully.

The Weimar Republic, 1918-1929

After World War One, Germany became democratic. All adult Germans were able to vote and the

system of proportional representation meant a wide range of views were given a voice in Parliament.

There was also an elected President instead of the Kaiser.

However Germany still faced problems. The Treaty of Versailles had embarrassed Germany as the ‘war

guilt’ clause had to be accepted, as did military restrictions. Reparations were huge and there was

political and economic instability:

• in the first four years of the Weimar Republic there were three serious attempts to overthrow

the government

• in 1923 there was a hyperinflation crisis that left Germany’s currency worthless

• Between 1924 and 1929, Germany did better. The politician Gustav Stresemann arranged

American loans and Germany could pay reparations again. By the late 1920s the Weimar

Republic was a key member of the League of Nations and its culture was modern and vibrant.

The government was still quite unstable but this was not as much of a problem in a time of

greater wealth, which the loans had helped create.

Hitler's rise to power, 1919-1933

The Nazi Party had been founded in 1920 and Hitler became its leader soon after. During the

hyperinflation crisis Hitler decided to try and seize power in the Munich Putsch (1923). He was jailed

briefly and after this promised to win power only through elections. The Nazi Party membership grew

but didn’t have very many seats by 1928 as people were less likely to vote for extreme parties in times

of stability.

In 1929 the Wall Street Crash brought a worldwide depression. The loans given to Germany were

recalled and the economy collapsed. Unemployment rocketed, poverty soared and Germans became

desperate. This led to a chain of events that ended in the destruction of German democracy:

With the government unable to win a majority in the Reichstag, laws could only be passed by

presidential decree. As a result, not enough action was taken to tackle the economic and social

consequences of the Depression and Germans increasingly began to look to the political extremes for

answers.

The Nazis benefitted from this the most, as a combination of policies with widespread appeal, a

charismatic leader in Hitler and the violence of the SA helped make them the largest party in the

Reichstag by the middle of 1932.

In January 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor by President Hindenburg.

Nazi control and dictatorship, 1933-1939

Hitler quickly set about dismantling German democracy. He forced the passing of the Enabling Act

through the Reichstag, which gave him unlimited powers for four years. He then eliminated any

potential sources of opposition: other political parties, trades unions and even Ernst Rohm, the leader

of the SA.

By the time President Hindenburg died in August 1934, Hitler was able to declare himself Führer and

had absolute power in Germany.

Nazi Germany was a totalitarian state, which means that the government sought to control every

aspect of life. To understand how Germans experienced this, one has to consider how control was

established (police state, removal of opposition, propaganda and censorship), and how everyday life

and society was influenced with Nazi ideals.


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Life in Nazi Germany, 1933-1939

Alongside control and suppression, the Nazis tried to influence every part of German life.

The economy

Hitler claimed that he had dramatically reduced unemployment figures under the Nazis. Certainly,

rearmament created jobs. But National Service meant young men were not counted as being

unemployed any longer. Women and Jews were left out of the figures altogether. Therefore, we can’t

be sure of how many people truly found jobs under the Nazis. However, living standards for working

class Germans did not really improve and workers were expected to take part in Nazi Party schemes

like Strength Through Joy, which gave them cheap holidays, in return for giving up their trade union

rights.

The Nazis aspired to achieve autarky, or economic self-sufficiency, but in general the economy was

geared towards preparing for a future war. As such, workers were expected to work long hours for

modest pay and to toe the line.

Social policy

The Nazis’ social policies affected two groups in society the most – women and young people:

Women were expected to embrace a life based around the ‘3 Ks’ of Kinder, Küche, Kirche (Children,

Kitchen and Church). It was their duty to produce and raise children, in order to secure the future of

the Reich. They were encouraged to give up work and received loans and awards for having lots of

children.

Young people were a particular target for the Nazis’ propaganda, as they represented the future. The

school curriculum was altered to promote Nazi ideology and all young people were expected to join a

Nazi youth organisation such as the Hitler Youth or the League of German Maidens.

In addition, the Nazis sought to control or limit the influence of Christianity. They set up an official

state church, called the Reich Church, which adapted protestant teachings to Nazi ideology. Also,

despite signing a Concordat with the Pope in 1933 in which Hitler promised to leave the Catholic

Church alone if it stayed out of politics, the Nazis attempted to interfere with it and placed restrictions

on worship.

Persecution

Nazi ideology centred on the belief that the Aryan of northern Europe was superior to all others and

that some races were sub-human. Nazis also believed any weaknesses in the Aryan race, such as

disabled people, should be weeded out to maintain racial purity. Therefore, many groups who the

Nazis did not like were targeted and persecuted. This was done in many different ways; ‘euthanasia’,

imprisonment in concentration camps and the loss of civil rights.

The group targeted most by this persecution were the Jews. Under the Nazis Jews in Germany had

their rights gradually taken away, including their German citizenship. During World War Two, this

deteriorated further and the Holocaust saw 6 million Jews from across Nazi-occupied Europe

murdered.

Revision tip: Remember the different parts of this period by remembering the mnemonic: In Germany

Rose (the) Nazis

1918-24 Instability

1924-29 Golden years

1929-33 Rise of Hitler

1933-45 Nazi rule

(This overview came from BBC Bitesize)


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How did Germany emerge from WWI?

In 1918 Germany collapsed into

chaos

By Autumn 1918 the British naval blockade had reduced Germany to starvation (Germans claimed over 700,000 died as a result)

The Kiel Mutiny (October): German soldiers refused to fight, and set up communist style ‘soviets’ (councils).

Demobbed soldiers returned home but could not find employment.

The Kaiser abdicated (9 November) and fled to Holland; Fredrich Ebert (SPD) took over as President. Too much chaos in Berlin so Government moves to Weimar.

New democratic constitution is drawn up. New Government soon blamed for defat in War and labelled as ‘November criminals’ for ‘stabbing the German Army in the back’.


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A left wing ‘Spartacist’

uprising

January 1919: 50,000 Spartacists set up ‘Soviets’ (workers councils) and mounted an armed rebellion in Berlin

They were led by Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Leibknecht (They were executed)

It was brutally crushed by ‘Freikorps’ (demobbed soldiers formed into paramilitary units)

The Allies establish a democratic republic in

Weimar (1919)

A progressive democracy – all men & women aged 20+ could vote

The Chancellor and Government were selected by the Reichstag (parliament)

A Bill of Rights provided equality in the eyes of the law, freedom of speech, political opinion and religion.

The Republic had structural

weaknesses

Article 48 gave the President right to rule by decree (in an emergency) – But an ’emergency’ was not defined

The system of voting, Proportional Representation was very democratic, but resulted in numerous parties (32) and coalition government

All the Civil Service (Judges & Government officials) came from the Kaiser’s time and were opposed to democracy and the New Republic.

Treaty of Versailles

(See other notes for details)

June 1919 Treaty of Versailles – hoped for Wilson’s 14 Points.

Blame: War Guilt Clause 231 (Assumed not proven)

Punitive: Significant loss of lands and lack of self-determination

Militarily weakened – surrounded by potential threats

Widespread German hatred of the Treaty of

Versailles

Negative headlines in National newspapers – vowing ‘revenge’

‘Stab in the back’ (dollstosslegende) myth. Nationalists said German army was betrayed by the ‘November Criminals’

Nationalist ‘Kapp Putsch’ (1920) rebellion against the Government and their signing of the Treaty of Versailles. (Ended by Government ordering workers to strike)

There was a right-wing

backlash against the Republic

Rise of right-wing parties & Para Military Freikorps (ex-soldiers)

Frequent political assassinations (over 300) e.g Erzberger (A ‘November Criminal, 1921) & Rathenau (Foreign Minister, 1922)

Sympathy of the Judges & Courts towards right wing agitators – given light sentences. E.g Hitler 9 months for Treason

Left wing ‘communists’

rebellions flare-up over Germany

In 1919 a communist state was set up in Bavaria (It was destroyed by the army and the Freikorps)

In 1920 a Communist group called the ‘Red Army’ rebelled in the Ruhr; widespread civil disobedience leading to 2,000 deaths.

Workers’ soviets (councils) established in many towns across Germany

Problems with Reparations

leads to economic crisis

Reparations placed economic strain on Germany – adding to post war inflation.

In January 1923, Germany defaulted. France invaded the Ruhr. France & Belgium invade & extract raw materials

The Government called for a general strike (passive resistance) Leads to loss of production. Government prints money to pay the workers = hyper-inflation


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Hyperinflation in 1923

(economic and social

consequences)

Prices rise out of control: bread from 1 mark to 200 billion.

Wages paid daily, then hourly – people spending before prices rise again.

Those on fixed incomes (pensioners, civil servants) Face starvation – People with savings see them wiped out overnight. Much social discontent.

Those with loans benefit (can pay them off)

Hyperinflation in

1923 leads to political unrest

In Berlin (October) soldiers call themselves the Black Reichswehr rebelled – led by Bruno Buchner.

The Rhineland region declared itself independent. Communist rebellions in Saxony and Thuringia

Hitler attempts his Munich Putsch (November 1923)


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To what extent did the Weimar Republic recover after 1923?

Swift actions of Gustav

Stresemann ends the crisis

Stresemann becomes Chancellor of a ‘Grand Coalition’ of moderate parties (He is a moderate nationalist DVP) (SDP/Centre/DVP) to pass legislation to end the crisis.

Calls off passive resistance – production gets going

A new currency is introduced (Rentenmark) = end of hyper inflation

Creates work programmes in housing (jobs)

Negotiates DAWES plan (1924) to reduce reparations and provide $800 million worth of US loans – creating greater economic & therefore, political stability

Stresemann ‘rescues’ the

Republic abroad

Germany restarts reparation payments – French leave the Rhur

Negotiates the Locarno Treaties (1925) accepting borders as agreed at Versailles (Improving foreign relations)

Locarno leads to German entry into the League of Nations as a permanent member – no longer the European ‘pariah’. (Outcast)

Cultural innovation and

revival

Vibrant, exciting cultural ‘revival’ – Bauhaus Movement, Modernist Art (George Grosz & Otto Dix), art and literature (All Quiet on Western Front)

Expansion or film industry – Fritz Lang (Kammerspeilfilm) Metropolis

Liberal ‘vibrant’ culture / attitudes – cabaret (Marlene Dietrich) left wing plays

The Republic remains

precariously weak

Economy ‘fragile’ (‘Dancing on a volcano’) Dependent on US loans. (Stresemann, 1929)

Right wing regard Weimar Culture as decadent (e.g Wandervogel movement) – as contrary to German values

Nationalists attack Stresemann’s Foreign Policy as a ‘sell out’ to the Europeans.

14 Chancellors between 1919 and 1933 and 20 different coalitions

An underlying trend of nationalism, right wing politics, antisemitism and hatred of the Republic continues. ‘Called a Republic without republicans’


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What did the NAZI party stand for?

Formation of the Party

1919: Hitler joins the German Workers Party (DAP) A small nationalist anti-communist party he could come to ‘control’

1921: Hitler assumes leadership and renames the party the NSDAP (National Socialist German Workers Party). Issues the 25 Point programme (Party manifesto) Has a paper - Völkischer Beobachter

Party based in Bavaria: 55,000 members by 1923, including 15,000 Brown Shirts (SA)

At first the intention was to seize power by ‘force’.

Nazi Ideas – the 25 Point programme

Nationalist (destroy Versailles), Strong government under the Leader Principle (Fuhrer Prinzip)

Socialist: State control of the ‘engines of the economy’, help for farmers (backbone of Germany) Tried to appeal to the ‘workers’ – but they leaned toward the communists

Racist: Aryan Purity (Social Darwinism), antisemitism – need for lebensraum (living Space) for the expansion of the German population. Jews were primarily responsible for Germany's plight.

Anti-Communist. No trade Unions, destroy Russia and communism.


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Munich Putsch Nov 1923

Prompted by economic chaos of hyper-inflation and anger over the French invasion – Republic ‘weak’.

8 Nov 1923: Hitler & 600 SA take over nationalist meeting by Gustav von Kahr (Beer Hall) Calls for a ‘National Revolution’. Supported by General Ludendorff (War hero)

9 Nov: Marches through Munich. Stopped by police. 16 dead, Hitler flees, is arrested and imprisoned.

Results of the Munich Putsch

Trial provides Hitler with national publicity & notoriety.

Sentenced to 5 years – reduced to 9 months (for treason!) Evidence of sympathy from the courts for right-wing.

Uses the time to ‘reorganise’ the party and write ‘Mein Kampf’

NSDAP change tactics – decides to win power legally. “If out voting them takes longer than outshooting them, at least the results are guaranteed by their own constitution’

Nazi tactics / success after

1924

SS (defence force) established 1925. (Fanatical bodyguard)

Sets up Youth movements: Hitler Jugend (HJ) and the League of German Girls (BDM)

Goebbels placed in charge of propaganda

By 1928 NSDAP still ‘on the lunatic fringe of German politics’. Has only 12 seats in the Reichstag


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How did Hitler take power, 1930 – 33?

Weimar weaknesses

Weak foundations)

Long term reasons stemming back to the establishment of the Republic. ‘November Criminals’, reparations, the Dawes Plan etc

Impact of proportional representation – leading to weak coalition government easy to overturn (14 Chancellors between 1919 & 1933 and 20 coalitions)

Article 48 a ‘toe in the door’ for a return to authoritarian government.

Right-Wing judges & Civil servants wanted authoritarian government.

Election of Hindenburg as President in 1925 – not exactly a democrat.

Financial support

German industrialists and financiers (e.g Krupp Steel) backed him as NSDAP was anti-communist. Would destroy trade unions.

German ‘wealthier’ middle classes also disliked communism and wanted strong government.

Foreign ‘supporters’ – Henry Ford invested in German car industry.

Modern Election Campaigning techniques

Huge well-orchestrated rallies: Nuremburg (since 1925) . Unity, order at a time of chaos and disunity.

‘Hitler uber Deutschland’ (1932) – for the Presidential Campaign in which Hitler won 37% of the vote.

Carefully targeted election messages: ‘Brot und Arbeit’ (bread & work) appeal to massed unemployed.

Exploitation of ‘negative cohesion’.


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Personal Qualities

A war hero - loyal and courageous German (Won Iron Cross 1st Class in WWI)

Charismatic speaker – practised technique of public speaking. Post speech analysis.

Driven – self-belief, huge energy described as a political evangelist

Understood how to exploit exiting fears and prejudices of the German people

Impact of the

Depression

Wall St. Crash, Oct 1929: US recall loans – economic disaster, Unemployment to 6 million by 1933. Creates climate for political extremism (left & right).

Weimar Government under Bruning (1930-32) cut social benefits and public workers’ pay. Much social & economic hardship.

Political crisis: what to do about the economy? Lack of political consensus. Successive governments: Bruning, Papen, Schleicher,

Increasing use of Article 48 reflects political uncertainty.

Nazi political success, 12 seats 1928, 107 by 1930, 230 by 1932. (Learn these!)

Deal with Papen

(Backstairs Intrigue)

30 Jan 1933

Nov 1932 NSDAP vote fell from 230 to 196 (Hitler contemplated suicide) BUT Schliecher’s Government could not re-establish parliamentary democracy.

Hindenburg offered Hitler Vice – Chancellor. He rejected this. Papen convinced Hindenburg to appoint Hitler Chancellor with him as Vice Chancellor.

Hitler appointed – Papen: ‘we’ve only hired him (Hitler)’. Hitler only given 2 other cabinet positions.

Papen and Conservatives thought they could ‘control’ Hitler and use his parliamentary support for their policies. After all he had no political experience.

Reichstag Fire 27 Feb 1933

Reichstag ‘torched’ – blamed on a communist plot (Most likely a Nazi set-up)

President gave Hitler ‘emergency powers’ (Not to be confused with the Enabling Act) All communist leaders arrested and expelled from Parliament.

Hindenburg declares a ‘state of emergency’ using Article 48.

NSDAP exploited the crisis and fear of communism in the March elections. Hitler ‘thanked’ by Hindenburg for preventing a communist uprising.

March Elections

5 March 1933

& Enabling Act

NSDAP won 44% of the vote (In spite of favourable campaigning conditions)

Goering appointed Speaker of the Reichstag – he controlled the debates

NSDAP combine with the Nationalists (DNVP) to form a majority 52%

Hitler wants to use democracy to destroy democracy

81 Communist deputies arrested along with 26 Social Democrats. (Not able to take their seats in the Reichstag)

SA and SS used to intimidate the remaining Reichstag deputies

Enabling Act (March 1933) Passed by over 2/3rds (Only SDP vote against)

Provided Hitler with Dictatorial powers for 4 years. Act becomes the keystone of Hitler’s Dictatorship – uses it to tighten his grip over Germany.


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How effectively did Hitler control Germany?

‘Co-ordination’ of Government, police and the

courts

Co-ordination was another name for ‘Nazification’ - Culture, the economy, education, and law all came under Nazi control. (Gleischaltung)

The country was divided in 42 Gaus (Districts). Nazis have a Gaulieter with the power to make laws

Each street had a Blockleiter (Block Leader) who reported ‘grumblers’ to the Police.

1934 Peoples Courts (No jury) headed by a Nazi Judge who swore an oath of loyalty to the regime. Number of crimes punishable by death 46.

225,000 sentenced to a total of over 600,000 years. No presumption of innocence.

Police under the direct control of Heinrich Himmler (Loyal to Hitler)

Fuhrerprinzip (Leader Principle) being established. Hitler’s authority had to be obeyed.


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Removing potential

opposition

May 1933: Trade Unions Banned and replaced by the DAF (German workers’ Front) Gave control of the workforce to Loyal Nazi Dr Robert Ley.

July 1933: All political parties banned (Apart from NSDAP) One Party State (Death of democracy)

Concordat with the Catholic Church. Pope stays out of politics, Hitler leaves the Catholic Church alone.

Internal threat from Rohm and SA dealt with by Night of the Long Knives

August 1934 Hindenburg dies. The President is the only one that can dismiss Hitler. Hitler merges the posts of President and Chancellor to become Fuhrer.

Night of the Long Knives

30 June 1934

Ernst Rohm - ambitious for power & influence stood at head of an SA that was two million strong. Also wanted to take over the army – Army chiefs would not like this.

Rohm leaned towards ‘socialism’ – this conflicted with Hitler’s rich backers who wanted a Fascist state.

Codenamed ‘hummingbird’ – The SS used to kill over 400 key members of the SA, including Rohm. Discouraged any more opposition.

Hindenburg ‘thanks’ Hitler for helping Germany avoid a socialist revolution – Army swear a personal oath of loyalty to Hitler.

Benefits of being a ‘loyal’ Nazi

Nazi Party members allocated best housing, secure jobs

Business leaders with Nazi membership – gained Government contracts and cheap labour after war broke out. E.g Oscar Schindler

Workers had KdF (Strength through Joy) Subsidised trips, holidays, VW Car. Beauty of Work (SdA) Improvement in working conditions, rest rooms, exercise / sports opportunities.

Employment , reduction in crime, sense of unity and living in a safe community

Terror State (For those who failed

to conform)

April 1933: Gestapo established (Secret State Police) & used 150,000 informants (Not uniformed)

The SD (Sicherheitsdienst) was the Nazi Party's intelligence and security service – under Himmler. Complied lists of potential Nazi opponents.

Himmler controlled the SS (200,000) by 1935. Ran concentration camps. E.g Dachau (Munich) established 1933 for Political Prisoners, Sachsenhausen in 1936 (Berlin) 26,000 political prisoners by July 1933.

SS + Gestapo + Informants + Courts + Concentration Camps = POLICE STATE Between 1933 & 45 32,000 ‘legally’ executed,


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Propaganda

Utilised all forms – Rallies, Radio, Culture (Art & Architecture) , Youth Organisations, School Curriculum and Film Industry.

Radio: ‘Peoples Receivers’. One Station! By 1939 70% of German families owned a radio. Communal loudspeakers. Could reach 50 million out of population of 70 million.

Film: Subtle: 90% of film had no overt propaganda message. Relied on historical film (making connections with German past) Over 1,000 films made. Most overt film ‘Eternal Jew’ was a flop. ‘Jude Suss’ more of an impact.

Berlin Olympics 1936. Showcased modern technology, organisation, unity etc

Rallies: “Rallies transformed a person from a little worm into part of a large dragon" (Goebbels) Nuremburg since 1925. Strong sense of unity and identity.


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How did the Nazis deal with Opposition?

The Church

Religion a potential threat to Nazi values – emphasised peace & good will

Catholic Church signed a Concordat with the Nazis – In return Nazis leave Catholic church alone.

Bishop von Galen opposed euthanasia of the mentally ill – (1937) Hitler ‘agreed’ and stopped it.

Hitler formed a ‘State Reich Church’ (Aryan mythology & Nazi values) as an alternative to organised religion

Martin Niemoller opposed the Reich Church so created a ‘confessional church’ – He was arrested and sent to Sachsenhausen (1938) 800 other Confessional Church leaders were arrested and sent to camps.

In 1937 the Pope, Pius XI criticised the Nazis – Hitler sent 400 Catholic priests to Dachau concentration camp.

In 1937 Hitler turned control of religion back to old Protestant Church leaders – Church attendance increased suggesting ‘limits’ to Hitler’s control over German people and their faith.

Opposition Groups

All in all there was not much organised opposition – the Regimes tactics were successful. However groups did emerge.

Swing Youth: Started in Hamburg 1939. Edelweiss Pirates – resisted authority and conformity. More an annoyance, but in 1944, 12 were arrested and executed in Cologne. (For killing the Gestapo chief of Cologne)

Leipzig Meuten (1937): Politically motivated youth with 1500 members. Leaned towards socialism. Little practical opposition – but evidence Hitler could not win over all German youth.

White Rose Group: Munich: 1943 University Students led by Sophie Scholl. Printed and distributed anti-Nazi leaflets – encouraging sabotage of the German War effort. Arrested faced trail at a Peoples Court – Guillotined.

Kreisau Circle – Aristocrats and intellectuals. Created ‘Basic Principles for a New order’ in 1943. Key members found out and executed.

Beck Group – attempted the 1944 Bomb Plot led by Claus Staffenberg. All executed.

Persecution of Jews (Why?)

Based on Hitler’s ‘worldview’: Belief in Social Darwinism (natural selection) and Aryan Race. Jews untermenschen (Infererior – sub-human)

Hitler exploits an undercurrent of anti-Jewish feeling in Germany

Jews blamed for Germany’s problems. E.g End of WWI the fault of Jews (A Jewish conspiracy)


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Escalation of persecution

1933-34: Boycott of Jewish businesses. Anti-Semitic signs, separation and isolation. (Orchestrated by the Brown Shirts, SA)

1935: Jews lose German Citizenship – Law for the Protection of German Blood and Honour. (Nuremburg Laws) Forced to leave professions: law, doctors, Civil Service. Forbidden to Vote. Could not marry Germans.

1936: Berlin Olympics. Signs withdrawn

1938: Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) Attacks on Jewish synagogues. (In response to the assassination of a German diplomat by a Polish Jewish man in Paris)

1939: (War) Jews forced into ghettoes – e.g Warsaw

1941: Einsatzgrupen (SS) After invasion of Soviet Union: 1 million Jewish shot in Eastern Europe.

1942: Wansee Conference: decided on the 'Final Solution' – the Jewish people were to be systematically taken to camps such as Auschwitz (extermination camps) and gassed. (Genocide)

Other ‘minorities

Physically and mentally ill, deaf, hereditary illness – forcibly sterilised (To 1937 euthanasia) 250,000 killed.

So-called ‘undesirables’ (homosexuals, prostitutes, asocials , Roma (gypsies) sent to concentration camps. (500,000 Roma put to death).


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The Nazi Regime: What was it like to live in Nazi Germany?

Overall aim Create a People’s Community (Volksgemeinschaft). Individuals would feel part of a ‘great united community’ and dedicate themselves to it.

Boys in Nazi Germany

HJ (Hitler Youth). Little fellows 6-10 / Young Folk 10 – 14 / Hitler Youth 14 – 18.

1936: Youth Law made it compulsory to join. Had 5 million.

Military emphasis on activities (Uniforms, sports and physical activity, camps, political indoctrination. Preparation as Germany’s future soldiers.

Membership could lead to a better University / Job

Girls in Nazi Germany

Young Girls 10-14 / League of German Girls (BDM) 14 - 18

Focussed activities on Motherhood / domesticity. Staying healthy – 10 Commandments for a German women. E.g No 10. ‘Have as many children as possible’

Education

Indoctrination – to make German youth embrace political and racial values of the Nazis.

Control of Teachers: 97% Nazi Teachers Association. Vetted for suitability and political reliability.

Curriculum adapted to reflect Nazi values: e.g Biology used to teach racial theory. History – shame of Versailles.

Adolf Hitler Schools for those who had leadership potential. Run along military lines for boys 12-18.

Women in Nazi

Germany

‘Separate but equal’ (according to law and nature) women had different roles. Not encouraged to participate in politics, encouraged to resign work and be good mothers.

Appearance: Simple and modest. Hair up, no smoking (unhealthy) avoid modern fashions. Peasant clothing.

Economic incentives to have a family: August 1933: law enabling a married couple to obtain loans of 1000 marks to set up homes and start families. To pay for this single men and childless couples were taxed more heavily. You could avoid repayment by having 4 children. [250 marks for each child]

3Ks (kinder, Kurche, Kuche) Children, Church, Kitchen

Incentives: Mother’s Cross. Hitler worried about declining birth rate. 4 children Bronze, 6 Silver, 8 Gold. Lebensborn (Fount of Life) Project – Aryan women to procreate with SS officers in special Lebensborn centres.

Employment: Female labour was cheap. 2.4 million remained in work between 1933 & 1939. (Contradicting NAZI aims / values) In manual / low paid work.

Economic Policy Main aims &

outcomes

Overall aim of self-sufficiency – AUTARKY & reduce unemployment. 6 million in 1933. Almost full employment by 1939.

4 Year Plan (1936 – 40) under Goering: Focus on preparations for war. (Lack of consumer goods)

Tackle unemployment: Conscription, Public works programmes employed 80,000 (Autobahns 7,000kms), RAD (Compulsory National Service for young men 19-25)

RAD voluntary at first but made compulsory in 1935

Invisible unemployment: Women and Jews taken out of figures


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In 1939 Germany still importing 20% of food and 33% of raw materials (Autarky?)

Labour shortages by 1939 – Women recruited back into the workforce (Going against their stated aims)

Promise to ‘curb’ monopolies – but by 1937 Big Business controlled 70% of Business & Industry e.g I.G Farben (Chemicals) , Krupps (Steel). 20% of small businesses closed.

Workers in Nazi Germany

Trade Unions abolished & replaced by DAF (German Labour Front) Controlled by Dr Robert Ley. VW Car scheme – miserable failure.

Incentives through KDF (Strength through Joy) Subsidised holidays & trips. Built 2 KDF cruise liners. (Limited availability for ‘ordinary workers’.

In general: wages fell, hours increased by 15 a week, workers had no negotiating rights, inflation rose (goods more expensive), shortage of consumer goods and even basic commodities. (Guns & Butter crisis 1936)

Beauty of Labour Scheme – to improve working conditions. Canteen provision, exercise yards, swimming pool etc. Did get health screening.

Farmers in Nazi Germany

Hailed as the ‘backbone’ of the German Volk (People). Decline of rural communities blamed on the Jews. Hitler Youth encouraged to spend a year working on the Land “ 2 million chose to)

Agricultural prices increased by 20% by 1937 & wages grew. (Benefits farmers)

Hereditary Farm Law of 1933 prevented farms from being repossessed from their owners, which gave farming families greater security.

Germany at War

War 1st September 1939: Start saw rapid victory (Blitzkrieg) in Poland – little immediate impact on ordinary life, although food rationing is introduced. Reluctant ‘support’. (Righting wrongs of the past)

1941 Germany invade Russia (Operation Barbarossa) Changes life for German people. More supplies required for the Army leading to shortages at home. Diets based on bread & potatoes - monotonous

1942: Albert Speer becomes Armaments Minister – Tells Germans to prepare for TOTAL WAR

1942: Allied AREA bombing raid on German cities – mounting civilian casualties. 61 Cities targeted / over 3 million homes destroyed Raids increased in intensity. 1945, February, Dresden 135,000 civilians killed. By 1935 3 million civilians dead. Creating a refugee problem As Germans flee cities.

Nazis used slave labour, carried out ‘Final Solution’ (c.6 million killed)

Wartime Opposition: Swing Youth, White Rose, Kreisau Circle, Bomb plot (See above)

Defeat April 1945: Germany occupied by Grand Alliance (&France) Divided into 4 zones by Allied control commission. Germany divide until reunification in 1990.

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