Did Nazi Germany benefit under Hitler?

Slide 1: To what extent did the German people benefit from Nazi rule? On balance it is clear that some people benefited whilst others clearly did not. It seems that most Germans were prepared to accept Nazi rule due to the improvements that they brought.

Slide 2: YES Hitler made German people feel proud and brought a sense of strength back to the country after the embarrassment and shame of the treaty of Versailles.

Slide 3: YES Hitler reduced unemployment from 6 million in 1933 to just BUT: This was achieved by 300,000 by 1939. • Kicking Jews out of their jobs and replacing them with Germans. • Kicking women out of their jobs and replacing them with men (this was not included within the figures.) • Conscription: men had to join the army • Men had to work in public works schemes – eg: building motorways

Slide 4: YES Workers went on holidays for the first time. Hitler’s ‘Joy through Work’ programme allowed people to go to places like Norway and free trips to the German coast.

Slide 5: YES… Many German people benefited under Nazi rule in the 1930s. The massive economic problems from the Wall St Crash in 1929 had ended. In their place there was employment and financial stability. The Nazis also replaced Germany’s honour and pride. There was more optimism and self confidence …. BUT…

Slide 6: Yeah but no but Yeah but no but Yeah but no but Yeah but no but Yeah but no but Yeah but no but Yeah but no but Yeah but no but… Always look for a two sided argument

Slide 7: NO People felt that their lives were being totally controlled by the Nazis. People could not even make a joke about Hitler without risking being arrested.

Slide 8: NO People were attacked and murdered by the Nazis for being Jewish or for being homosexual. People, such as Teachers, lost their jobs if they refused to teach children about Hitler and the his party.

Slide 9: NO People had their rights about freedom of speech taken away from them. Newspapers were controlled by the Nazis. They were in total control. They set up networks of spies to make sure no-one spoke out against Hitler. Those who did were put into prison by the Gestapo.

Slide 10: To what extent did the German people benefit from Nazi rule? On balance it is clear that some people benefited whilst others clearly did not. It seems that most Germans were prepared to accept Nazi rule due to the improvements that they brought.