National Socialism and the workers

The Nazi policies towards this section of society provide you with some

evidence to argue that the Nazis had a positive

impact/achievements and this could be an alternative

reason for support as opposed to purely

fear/terror

Workers in the third Reich

• Why were the workers important to the volksgemeinshaft?

• Armaments, production, key for the economy.• Large section of the society 46% (any concerns

towards the working class in Germany from the regime?)

• What were the aims of the Nazis in regard to the workers?

• Control – production, wages. No opposition - dismantle trade unions. Gain support – win them over (volksgemeinshaft).

The situation in 1933• How would you describe the economic

situation in Germany in 1933?

• Depression 1929-1933.• Trade – value of exports fell by 62% (13.5

billion Reichmarks in 1929 to 4.9 billion in 1933)

• Industry – 50,000 businesses in Germany went bankrupt between 1929-1933.

• Employment – total out of work in 1932 was 8 million.

• Agriculture – Many farms sold off as agricultural prices fell.

• Finance – foreign investment disappeared and in 1931 5 major banks collapsed.This provides the Nazis with a good opportunity to control the workers

Impact • By mid 1936:

• Unemployment fallen to 1.5 million.• Industrial output increased by 60%.• GNP increased by 40%• 1928 40% of all cars sold in Germany

were foreign by 1935 only 9%. • By 1939, Germany still imported

33% of its required raw materials.• Real earnings in 1938 were all but

the same as the 1928 figure.• Government debt stood at over 40

billion Reichsmarks.

Robert Ley – leader of the daf from 1933

Use the sheet to make notes on:• The German Labour Front (DAF)• Strength Through Joy (KdF)• Beauty of LabourAQA p.76 – 81 Layton p.53 – 55 (not great for detail)

How effective/successful were the Nazi policies towards workers?

Robert Ley – leader of the daf from 1933

The German Labour Front (DAF)Aims – win the workers over to the Volksgemeinschaft and

encourage workers to increase productionMethods – replaced the TU and had it’s own propaganda dept

to spread Nazi ideology. Established subsidiary organisation (KdF) to organise leisure time. 1936 – vocational training courses to improve workers’ skills. Built up its own large business empire

Effects – they were aware that they couldn’t take the workers for granted (pressure to work harder and accept squeeze on wages and living standards) – had to be tangible compensation for the pressures placed on them - KdF

Robert Ley – leader of the daf from 1933

Strength Through Joy (KdF)Aims – workers would gain strength for work by experiencing joy in

their leisure time. Wanted workers to see themselves as part of the Volksgemeinschaft and fill up their time so no time left for private lives. Encourage spirit of social equality, bring Germans from different regions together, encourage sport to improve mental and physical health and to encourage competition and ambition.

Methods – subsidised holidays, sporting activities, hikes, theatre and cinema visits at reduced prices. KdF wardens in every factory and workplace.

Effects – by 1936, 35m workers belonged to KdF (though membership came with being a member of the DAF. Tourism activities were very successful, however strictly controlled and Gestapo and SS presence prevented any criticism. Yet reality often contradicted ideological assumptions – tickets too expensive for ordinary people, little mixing of classes, fights between workers from different areas. Despite this, KdF was still one of the regime’s most popular organisations – offering opportunities helped reconcile even former opponents to the regime

Robert Ley – leader of the daf from 1933

Beauty of LabourAims – Get workers to work harderMethods – Campaigned for better washing facilities and toilets

in factories. Encouraged provision for sport and recreation to promote good health, campaigned for employers to serve hot, nourishing meals. Offered tax incentives to employers to implement these changes. Competitions and prizes for the most improved firms.

Effects – The factories expected workers to bear the brunt of the cost of these improvements – paint the factory, clean up the working environment and build new facilities in their own time, for no extra pay. ‘Contributions’ taken from wages to cover costs – those who failed to ‘volunteer’ were threatened with dismissal

Did workers react positively?

Arrange the card sort into positive and negative effects for workers in Nazi Germany. You can look at AQA p.81 and Layton p.53/4 for extra

info

Which kinds of workers would react positively and which negatively?

Workers’ reactions depended on their position – if they valued wages and free time then no,

but if they enjoyed the new opportunities e.g. excursions then yes

debate

Did German workers in the 1930s view the KdF as a genuine benefit or a

cynical attempt by the regime to win their support?

National Socialism and the workers

1) How did the regime control German workers?

2) How did they try and win them over to the Volksgemeinshaft?

3) How successful was Nazi policy towards German workers?

4) How did workers react to Nazi policy?

5) Did workers lives improve under National Socialism?

Homework: the peasants and the churches

Over half term you need to read about and make notes on the final two

sections of society:• Peasants

• The Churches

Follow the instructions on your sheet and bring these notes to our first

lesson back after half term