 starter activity German worker, speaking in 1985, explaining why he joined the Nazis in the 1930s. What does this tell us about the economy & the reasons why people supported the Nazi regime? I was unemployed for many years. I’d have made a pact with the devil to get work. Hitler came along and got me work, so I followed him.

Key points: 1.How successful was Nazi economic policy? 2. How were major areas of the economy organised during the Third Reich?

Agriculture Government measures to reduce high food prices & debts Production from agriculture overall fell as Nazis concentrated on industry.

Government measures to reduce high food prices & debts

Production from agriculture overall fell as Nazis concentrated on industry.

Industry Industry brought under state supervision (Reichsgruppe for Industry) State controlled resources, but industry remained largely privately owned 300,000 small businesses went bankrupt 1933-1945 Nazis used industry for war aims and for providing jobs.

Industry brought under state supervision (Reichsgruppe for Industry)

State controlled resources, but industry remained largely privately owned

300,000 small businesses went bankrupt 1933-1945

Nazis used industry for war aims and for providing jobs.

Transport Massive investment (3.8 billion Reichsmark per year by 1938) Created huge amount of jobs by upgrading German transport network-often even when it didn’t require it! Built the impressive Autobahns (huge highways that stretched across Germany)

Massive investment (3.8 billion Reichsmark per year by 1938)

Created huge amount of jobs by upgrading German transport network-often even when it didn’t require it!

Built the impressive Autobahns (huge highways that stretched across Germany)

Foreign trade Trade with other countries was minimal-Hitler and Nazis focused on autarky (self-sufficiency). They produced a lot of ersatz materials (coffee, bread etc)

Trade with other countries was minimal-Hitler and Nazis focused on autarky (self-sufficiency). They produced a lot of ersatz materials (coffee, bread etc)

Was Nazi Economic policy a success? Unemployment dropped quickly 4.8 million in 1933 to 0.5 million in 1938-BUT results were spun to look good (unemployed Jews, foreigners and women were nto included in Nazi stats as they were not considered real , potential workers) Wages rose slightly but were still lower in 1938 than they had been in 1928 Working hours went up to 49 hours per week in 1939 – 52 hours in 1943 to over 60 hours per week by 1945 There were fewer consumer goods (personal and household goods) Trade unions were replaced by Nazis organisations, “Beauty of Labour” and strength Through Joy” who organised better conditions and leisure activities

Unemployment dropped quickly 4.8 million in 1933 to 0.5 million in 1938-BUT results were spun to look good (unemployed Jews, foreigners and women were nto included in Nazi stats as they were not considered real , potential workers)

Wages rose slightly but were still lower in 1938 than they had been in 1928

Working hours went up to 49 hours per week in 1939 – 52 hours in 1943 to over 60 hours per week by 1945

There were fewer consumer goods (personal and household goods)

Trade unions were replaced by Nazis organisations, “Beauty of Labour” and strength Through Joy” who organised better conditions and leisure activities