2. Today’s lesson
Today we are developing our knowledge and understanding of Nazi Social & Economic
Policies which were introduced in Nazi Germany
By the end of today’s lesson I will be able to:
1) State what Social & Economic Policies are
2) Describe at least 3 Nazi Economic Policies
3) Explain why these policies contributed to Nazi popularity.
Today’s lesson will involve:
1) Note taking
2) Class discussion
3) 9 Mark Question
4. Social & Economic Policies - Definition
Social policies
Those which affect the standard of living of the
people
Economic policies.
Those which affect the economy eg. Jobs and
borrowing money
5. What did the Nazis do to stay popular in
Germany?
• The streets were safe and there was
almost no crime
• Youth organisations provided activities,
uniforms and free trips.
Why do you think this appealed to
the German people?
Do you think the two are linked?
6. Economic Policies
What do you think the
following two images
have in common?
THINK for 30 seconds
PAIR – Share your ideas
with your partner
They were both Nazi Social/Economic policies
7. What were some of the Nazi economic
policies?
• Held huge national events like the Berlin Olympics 1936
• Gave everybody a job and wage
• A huge public works programme – building houses, hospitals
and schools
• Created the autobahn (motorway) creating 80,000 jobs
• Rearmed Germany – built up the army, built tanks,
aeroplanes (Luftwaffe) etc
8. What were some of the Nazi economic policies?
The German Labour Front (DAF)
• This organisation controlled all work in Germany and put men into
work (compulsory)
• Workers had a wage and job security
• They had long hours but regular breaks
• But, Trade Unions were banned
• In 1933 there were over 6million unemployed
• By 1939 unemployment was 0%
• Many Germans were thankful for wages and job security after
the Weimar years
• The Beauty of Work scheme was designed to make workplaces
more attractive to workers. Old factories were freshened up and
canteens were reopened.
Does this sound appealing
to you? Why?
9. German men in the DAF off to
build the autobahn
Propaganda publicised Hitler’s
successes, like putting men into
jobs >>
10. Hitler’s Targets
Hitler had targets he wanted to meet when he was in power
in terms of how economically successful Germany was.
These were
1. Full employment
2. Autarky (Self sufficiency) Germany would not need
to rely on any other country
Using what you already know about the Nazis why
do you think these policies took priority?
11. Unemployment
• All men made to join the army
were not counted as unemployed,
reducing unemployment figure
• Many Jews sacked from jobs –
non Jews given their jobs
• Many women sacked and jobs
given to men
• Nazis stopped paying Versailles
reparations – more money to
invest in Germany
• This made their unemployment
rate look better than it was
Autarky
• German scientists tried to make
oil from coal and rubber & petrol
substitutes but were
unsuccessful
• Germany were never completely
self sufficient and relied on
foreign imports
Now you know the detail can it be said that the
Nazis were successful in achieving Hitler’s
targets? Write a short answer in your jotter
13. KDF – Strength through joy
• The Most popular Nazi organisation
• Provided people with free leisure activities as a
rewards for their hard work
• Free concert tickets, day trips, holidays
• By 1938, 10million had gone on a KDF holiday
• Two cruise liners built to take people on KDF holidays
• It was the first time many German people had ever
had such luxuries
14. Prora was part
of a KdF
scheme, a
holiday camp at
a German beach
resort
15. The People’s car – The Volkswagen
• Workers were encouraged to buy savings stamps which
they would collect and exchange for a Volkswagen
Beetle
• Again, a car was an amazing luxury to Germans after
the misery of Weimar years
• However only 210 were made due to the outbreak of
war
