Escolar Documentos
Profissional Documentos
Cultura Documentos
Structure - referendums (triggered if 10% or more of electorate petitioned against it) + citizen's rights, national govt. of Reich
Chancellors + Reich Ministers who were involved w/ the Reichstrat (represented interests of 17 states in law making) + the
Reichstag (main law making body w/ elections every 4 years), President (elected for 7 years, Head of State + Commander-
in-Chief of armed forces, powers of Article 48, could be deposed by referendum), state govts.
- system of proportional representation (awarded seats in parliament to parties on basis of the percentage share of the vote
they won in elections), encouraged multi-party politics + led to many weak, unstable coalitions of several parties, made it
easy for extremists to win seats + gave them a platform to attack Republic.
- Article 48, enabled President to sideline Reichstag + govern country esp. in 1930-33, defective if people exploited it.
HOWEVER, proportional representation not a main cause of political difficulties rather divisions in German society + warring
parties, Germany would've had problems whatever political system it had used, extremists always a problem too.
ARTICLE 48 most problematic in early 1930s when powerful people were willing to exploit it.
- in terms of national govt, a British-style parliamentary system + American-style presidential system. Governed by Reichstag w/ President given powers inc. Article 48 (power to rule by decree in emergencies, potential vast power, elected every 7yrs).
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- a federal constitution, political authority split between national govt. + state/provincial govt. to avoid concentrations of power + give localities control over own affairs
- ultra-democratic, as much power as possible remained in hands of the people, frequent elections
Extreme Right - low taxes, strong foreign policy, authoritarianist, nationalist + conservative.
National Assembly Elections - January '19, involving the political parties of the Republic (KPD, DVP, SPD, NSDAP, Centre Party, DDP, DNVP), won w/ 80% vote by German Democratic Party, Catholic Centre Party + SPD as democratic republic favoured.
Differences - "from below" was broad + popular, "from above" was only supported by a clique. Similarities - new govts. both led by socialists, gave "people power" to all classes, military involved (differently). Cologne when govt. lost control, Kaiser abdicated 4th Nov + Ebert led new 6 man socialist govt. led to naval mutiny against "suicide mission", Soviets (social democrats) took over Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt + 'The revolution from below' - Nov '18, Admiral Scheer (Chief of German naval staff) ordered "last-ditch" attack on British, fairer if govt. not autocratic, also diverts attention from their responsibility over loss of the war. Why 'the revolution from above'? Ludendorff + Hindenburg did not support democracy but knew peace treaties would be Chancellor alongside politicians Scheidermann(SPD) + Erzberger (Centre Party). biggest parties in Reichstag (war beyond winning), created a parliamentary democracy, Prince Max of Baden appointed 'The revolution from above' - 18th Oct '18, Generals Ludendorff + Hindenburg urged Kaiser to appoint new govt. made of industrialised since 1871, had a working class and general class system, 1871 - 1918. Nature of Imperial Germany - Kaisers were 'emperors' of Germany, Prussia had a prominent role, country had rapidly
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- determination of politicians
-Stresemann
Kapp Putsch '20 - triggered by ToV + cuts to armed forces, Ehrhardt Brigade ordered to disband causing Hermann Ehrhardt to make plans w/ Walther von Luttwitz + Wolfgang Kapp to topple Republic, army refused to help govt. SO Berlin's civil servants refused to work during Kapp Putsch + general strike instigated.Organisation Consul - est. by Ehrhardt after failure of Kapp Putsch as means for political assassination, 'November Criminal' Matthias Erzberger assassinated in '21 + Jewish (FM) Walter Rathenau assassinated in '22. Extreme Right, 1923 - events in Ruhr created nationalistic mood, middle/upper-class fears of Communism exploitable, passive resistance (like Weimar giving in to Republic), Hugenburg, Stinnes, von Seckt + Ludendorff considered Putsch, "Beer Hall Putsch" inv. Nazis + von Kahr who ordered open fire on Nazis, killing 14 + 4 police. KPD in '20s - boosted by 400,000 new recruits in '20 + led revolt in Ruhr, crushed by army, failed in Saxony '21 for too (but had support from Russia), treated hasrhly as pre-war elites still held positions in govt. + judicial system.
- French/Belgian invasion of the Ruhr in Rhineland and hyperinflation, extremism, breakdowns in govt. coalitions.
- Kapp Putsch and later threats from extreme right (Organisation Consul), nationalism intensified, Consequences: - 100,000 army, no air force, no tanks/heavy artillery, limited navy w/ no subs, six battleships. - 'war guilt clause' (clause 231), reperations of 6,600 million fixed 1921, - Alsace-Lorraine loss, Rhineland demilitarised, Saar loss, 'Polish corridor', Memel, Danzig and Upper Silesia loss, stripped of overseas colonies, self-determination, Anschluss banned, ToV terms: German reaction - newspapers, church leaders and politicians criticised the signing of the ToV, as did the German people, resentment of 'diktat'.
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Temporary losers - those w/ no savings but whose wages couldn't keep pace (short term suffering but quick recovery),
Permanent losers - those w/ savings wiped out (not compensated, e.g.those w/ bank accounts, pensions and insurance),
"Winners" - those who paid off debts in worthless currency (e.g. industrialists, investors, currency speculators like Hugo
Figures - in 1918 bread cost half a mark, by 1923 cost more than 1 billion marks.
exchanged goods for goods w/o money (e.g. cinema admission for two lumps of coal).
had to print more money to cope with budget deficit, destroyed confidence in German, total downfall of currency, people
Results - rising governement spending (due to payment of strikers in Ruhr) and falling income from taxation, government
resistance to French (strikes), Germany's already terrible finances (acute debt problem), already existing inflation.
Causes - French dissatisfaction at ToV (aims to permananently weaken Germany), occupation of the Ruhr, passive
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NSDAP from 1920-23 - Hitler became leader + sought to give party an identity, Twenty-Five Point Programme '20, evolution
from DAP to NSDAP (Nationalist Socialist German Worker's Party), newspaper bought to popularise party views (Volkischer
Beobachter or People's Observer), local party branches est. (mostly in Bavaria), party rallies held to increasing popularity,
paramilitary SA (storm troopers) est. '21. By '22, had 6,000 members following Ruhr occupation + by time of Munich Putsch,
had 50,000 members. core beliefs inc. ultra-nationalism, racism, authoritarianism, anti-capitalism/communism.
Hitler's Treason Trial '24 - 2,000 Nazis had fled at Munich Putsch + Hitler put on trial, had a sypathetic judge, used time
in dock as platform for Nazi propaganda, sentenced to five years in prison, released within the year during time which
he wrote "Mein Kampf", trial attracted mass publicity, Hitler saw himself as a saviour. Nazis from 1925-28 - NSDAP
banned after Putsch + leaders scattered so Hitler united party under his control not Strasser who later became propaganda
chief (Bamberg Conference '26), no changes to policy, "leadership principle" + military-like party structure (Fuhrer at top),
Hitler salute.
Political Strategy of LEGALITY - contesting elections rather than putsch (did not believe in democracy or stop violence), SA
to attack Communists (appearance of incapability), major party reorganisation to enhance election campaigns (35 electoral
districts - Gaue - w/ a Gauleiter, Kreis, Ort, Block, Henchmen). By '29 membership doubled to 100,000, Hugenburg's media.
YES Economic Stability - economic relative normality, highly attractive to foreign investors, good international relationship (US loans), no hyperinflation, economic growth (industrial output return to pre-war levels in '28), wages rise (trade union success), inclinations spend.
NO - middle class disillusionment (complained of unfair treatment after hyperinflation, working class favoured: govt. house building + U.I.A '27, "trade-union" state, proof; Hindenburg's election as President + middle class Economy Party 5% in '28), street violence (e.g. between SA + Ernst Thalmann's Communists' Red Front Fighter's League). YES Political Stability - extremists had nothing to "feed on" (elections Dec '24: Nationalists 21% + in '28: 14%), absence of putsch attempts, extreme right election losses. NO - GM prosperity dependent on foreign investment (loans + credits), Dawes Plan brought serious consequences after Wall Street Crash, agricultural sector did not share in prosperity (world food prices low), farmers in debt + resented Republic, in biggest industries were tensions between employers + workers (unions too much power + wages too high, confrontation, reduction of workforce, frequent strikes + lock-outs), govt. lived beyond means (unsustainable defecit as spending higher than taxation).
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Nazi support declined at end of '32 as internal divisions grew and funds became limited. Public grew impatient at Hitler's refusal to take Vice-Chancellor role under von Papern. Facts + Figures:
- Thuringia State elections: 11.3% votes (anything past 10% considered good).
- 1932: Presidential elections; 1st ballot Hitler won 11.3 mil. votes (30.1%), 2nd ballot Hitler won 13.4 mil. votes (36.8%). Reichstag elections (Jul) 37.6%, (Nov) 32%.
- Sept. 1930: Reichstag elections Nazis won 6.4 mil. votes + 107 seats (18.31%), elections Nazis won 14.4%
Saxony
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Breakdown of Parliamentary Govt. - disagreement between moderate parties (4 in coalition: Social Democrats, Centre, Democratic Party, People's Party headed by SD Hermann Muller) as nonsocialists called for cuts to govt. spending + unemployment benefit + SDs refused as would not betray their voters (working class) + no govt. w/ majority could replaced failed system. 1930 Recihstag Elections saw 4 democratic parties w/ fewer than 1/2 seats between them. Muller's govt. last coalition in Reichstag + ended parliamentary govt. KPD - 13% SPD - 24% DDP - 4% CENTRE - 15% DVP - 5% DNVP - 7% NAZI - 18% OTHER - 14%.
Presidential Govt. - parl. govt. collapsed, excessive use of Article 48 by President. Hindenburg aged 83, relied on extreme-right circle of advisers (considered enemies of democracy), Kurt von Schleicher most influential. Chancellors ran govt. w/ ministers but puppets of Hindenburg as required Article 48 to implement policies, could be sacked by President, led to several different successive Chancellors, instability leading to Hitler's siege of power.
Confidence in democracy failing, favourable conditions for extremists, support "a mile wide but only an inch deep", electoral support only temporary. Protestants more likely to vote Nazi than Catholics, support strong from upper- and middle-class voters, attracted lots of support in small towns + rural areas of Protestant northern Germany, significant minority of working class won over in '32. Neukolln (deprived working class district): - '28 elections 1%, '30 elections 11%, Jul '32 24%. Zehlendorf (upper middle-class suburb): - '28 elections 2% votes, '30 elections 18%, Jul '32 elections 37%. Working-class voters - conservatives stirred by promises of national revival, self-employed workers, e.g. carpenters, plumbers, perhaps Nazis offered best hope for economic restoration, "work+bread". Middle-class voters - disillusionment, fear of communism, feared Communist paramilitaries, previously alienating Nazi brutality now useful and an asset against KPD. Industrialists - anti-Weimar, disliked "trade union state", preferred authoritarian forms of govt.
Fears of Communism - elites + middle classes feared Communist uprising (KPD votes at 13% in '30 + 17% in Dec. '32). Propaganda + Nazi Organisation - idea of "rainbow/catch all party" offering something to everybody, Goebbels' propaganda, aided by Hugenburg + anti-Young campaign (access to media empire), mass meetings, rallies + travel by planes + use of new technology, organisation (Fuhrer, Gauleiter, Kreis, Ort, Block), appeal to farmers + middle classes, young people, tailor made appeals, wooing of farmers, "National Community" (Volksgemeinschaft), young women, factory workers + civil servants targeted in similar fashion. Hitler Myth - charismatic personality + oratory, distanced from Weimar politics, authoritarian. Lack of trust for Weimar govt. - politicians failing, e.g. constant elections + unstable coalitions, Wall Street Crash. The SA + Intimidation of Opposition - SA under Rohm, offered food, shelter, a uniform + purpose to unemployed young men, 500,000 men, distributed propaganda, gave impression was organised + made KPD look violent after street fights.
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Schleicher '32-'33 - few allies, improvised schemes, no backing, plans came to nothing.
Political Intrigues '32-'33 - Nazi breakthrough caused period of jockeying/intrigue for top govt. position, Hitler refused supporting role meeting, Hindenburg didn't agree to terms, Hitler encouraged Nazis to join other parties inc. Communists in passing vote of no confidence in von Papen's govt, Schleicher convinved Hin. to sack von Papen once army showed dislike.
Franz Von Papen '32 - recommended by Schleicher, no govt experience, hard-line right-wing, Schleicher's attempt to encourage Hitler (dictator-like authority), 'the cabinet of barons', ban put on SA by Bruning lifted, called for new elections (knew Nazis would do well), removed Prussia's SD govt.
Heinrich Bruning '30 - WW1 vet, reliable to Hindenburg, conservative, background in economics, Reichstag didn't obstruct 'presidential govt' ('toleration'), orthodox economic ideas, deep cuts in govt. spending, reduced unemployment benefit, cut jobs/wages in public sector, reperations payments suspended in '31, increased fears of Communism (in '30, 44 Communists + 17 Nazis killed in street fighting, 52 + 42 in '31, 75 + 84 in '32) unpopular + unsuccessful, lost power in '32 (relationship w/ Hindenburg soured).
Chancellors 1930-33
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Role of Propaganda - Goebbels = Minister of Propaganda + National Enlightenment, wanted to unite Germans, use of
posters/slogans inc. "community before the individual" + "One Nation! One People! One Leader!", personality cult around
Hitler ("Hitler Myth") for hero-worship, relied on H's successes to create myth, political celebrations, e.g. marches/rallies/
parades giving impression united by Hitler, Winter Aid Programme, extensive use of radio/cinema, e.g. "Triumph of the
Will" film to inspire solidarity, ensured every household had radio (low-cost "People's Receiver"), broadcast in factories
+ public places.
Key Organisation - Reich Chamber of Culture, part of Goebbels' Ministry of Propaganda. Anyone wanting to work in film/
Popular Culture - attempt to sell "Volksgemeinschaft" to working classes w/ KdF (Kraft durch Freude/"Strength through
Joy" movement), was part of German Labour Front (replaced trade unions in '33), it filled gaps in working-class families'
lives left by SPD/KPD, offered range of leisure/cultural oppurtunities, e.g. sports, choirs, evening classes, also tourism
w/ sponsored travel in Germany + travel on KdF cruises to breakdown regional loyalties, '38 VW/"People's Car" scheme,
"a VW for every German",300,000 people signed, project scrapped due to army. Idea appealed to middle-classes, like
Society didn't become more equal, failure to integrate working-classes who weren't won over by Nazism, religious
'Night of the Long Knives' '34 - Rohm wanted 3mil. strong SA to merge w/ army, Hitler feared would undermine discipline, SA were left-wing Nazis + planned "second revolution" against big businesses but Hitler needed those for military strength, ordered murder of 50+ SA leaders inc. Rohm, also had von Kahr, Strasser + Schleicher murdered by SS, SA existed w/o power after + no internal damage to H's reputation, c. 300 deaths, used media to cover up actions w/ excuses.
Gleichschaltung, '33-34 - "bringing into line", trade unions disbanded May '33, outlawed SPD Jun. '33, Nationalists, People's Party, Democratic Party + Centre Party pressurised into dissolving, "Law Against the Formation of New Parties" Jul. '33 (official one party state), suppression of left w/ violence (100s murdered by SA or taken to 'wild camps'), Himmler's SS responsible for constructing c. 80 CCs, didn't rush into conflict w/ churches, Protestants persuaded to form Reich Church w/ Bishop L. Muller, minority est. Confessional Church, '33 agreement w/ Vatican to keep priests out of politics, Niemoller's critique of anti-semitism, Bonhoeffer, by '37 100s of Cath. priests imprisoned, breach of concordat + Pope Pius.
Gleichschaltung, 1930s
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taken to CCs. Policy chaotic + affected by Nazi rivalry, e.g. Himmler + Goering battling for control, Goering +
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German Economic Life"), 1billion mark fine imposed on Jewish community as punishment for Paris murder + 30,000 men
synagogues burnt + 8,000 businesses smashed/looted), followed w/ rash new laws (inc. "Decree Excluding Jews from
pogrom 9th Nov. '38 (pretext to GM diplomat in Paris by teenage Jew) w/ c. 90 Jews killed, 100s beaten up, c. 200
Aryan civil servants, Hindenburg's intervention for war vets who kept their jobs.'33-'36 - pause in '34, aggressive SA policy
first anti-Jewish decree 7th Apr '33 ("Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service") ordering dismissal of all non-
local SA units acted largely on own initiative beating up Jews/destroying shops, 1st Apr '33 one-day boycott of Jewish shops,
1/2mil strong Jewish community served in GM army + 12,000 died in action.Persecution '33 - vicious but uncoordinated, '33
medicine, law, teching + journalism, an assimilated community, Union of German Citizens of Jewish Faith, 100,000 of GM's
non-Jews + Jews, didn't dominate business life, under-represented in "upper" industries, middle-class professionals, e.g.
Jewish Community - 0.7% population Jewish, diminishing, small minority, low birth rates + increasing marriages between
had 1-2 (if 2 faced persecution), anti-semitic activity scale down w/ Berlin Olympics (H. showing off regime's success),
"Supplementary Decree" to "Reich Citizenship Law" defining "Jew" as w/ 3-4 Jewish grandparents + mischlinge (hybrids)
Blood + Honour" outlawed marriages/sexual relations between Jews + non-Jews), imprecise definitions of "Jew" led to
'35, Nuremburg Laws (inc. "Reich Citizenship Law" depriving Jews of GM citizenship/"Law for the Protection of German
Goebbels fight over Kristallnacht. Persecution intense in '33, '35 + '38-'39 but quiet in '34 + '36-37.
signs of anti-semitism removed.'37-38 - Himmler + "Jew-free" GM vs. Goering's "Aryanisation" + Goebbels' Kristallnacht
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Priorities - converting youth into Nazis, preparing young men for military + young girls to become wives/mothers, no concept of independent mind/capacity for critical thought ("worthless").
School Curriculum - dismissed Jewish/politically unreliable teachers (affected few), maths/physics/chemistry/languages/religion fewer timetabled slots, biology/history/physical education gained, w/ biology/history used for indoctrination, P.E. for military/motherhood, biology became "racial science" ('racial hygiene' regarding 'genetically defective'), history only German inc. pre-20th C. heroes + scapegoating Jews/Communists over WW1 + Hitler's "national revival", in chem. syllabus topics like poisonous gases/explosives, in maths solving problems re: bombing impact/cost of disabled (encouraged "ruthlessness"), effects: decline in ed. standards, employers + parents complained about low literacy/numeracy '39, "National Socialist spirit" was Nazi concern.
Elite Schools - not just reliant on mainstream educ., National Political Educational Institutions ('Napolas') est. to prepare students for leadership in civil service/army, 16 by '39, 'Adolf Hitler Schools' for future Nazi leaders w/ best attending 3 'Order Castles' (universities of Nazism).
motherhood (Mother Cross award gold for 8 kids, silver for 6, bronze for 4), abortion illegal + birth control clinics closed,
Loan Scheme '33 w/ loans for engaged couples of 1,000 marks reduced by 1/4 per newborn), propaganda glorifying
wanted bigger reserves of manpower, wanted to stop falling birth rate using: financial incentives to bear children (Marriage
'Pronatalism' - policy encouraging child-bearing + glorifying parenthood, Nazis regarded population in '33 as too small +
in war years given most dangerous jobs, e.g. munitions factories as of "less value".
domestic role, "equally important" yet different, denied oppurtunities, expendable beyond child-bearing years, older women
Nazi Ideas - contempt for "new woman", role to serve country (child-bearing/rearing w/o paid work, naturally intended
alarmed by this.
Weimar '20s an era of progression for German women, e.g. right to vote, economic gains, social freedom, right-wingers
'30s women had to occupy jobs in factories due to military service. Impact - limited succes w/ birth rate (lower than '14), women in paid work increased (but difficult to win promotion), late courses in motherhood attracting millions. divorce laws relaxed in '38 for remarriage = more kids, Deutsches Frauenwerk headed by Gertrud Schlotz-Klink offered
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compulsory movements suggest failure to keep interest, most resistance otherwise during war, Youth (Hitler Jugend). vs. nursing, childcare, household management.
shaved by Nazis or sent to CCs., aggression in schools, many soldiers committing war crimes in war from this generation,
'Edelweiss Pirates' political in western Germany (slogan inc. "Eternal War on HY", ambushed + beat up members, heads
ground drills v. disliked, absentees increased, rebellious middle-class 'Swing Kids' in Berlin (major crackdown in '41 + '42),
Success/Failure - popular in early years as novelty BUT enthusiasm waned by end of '30s (boredom), lectures + parade-
For Girls - 10-14yrs League of Young Girls (Jungmadelbund), 14-18yrs League of German Girls (Bund Deutscher Madel).
For Boys - 6-10 yrs, 'Little Fellows' (Pimpfen), 10-14 yrs, German Young People (Deutsches Jungvolk), 14-18 yrs Hitler
education classes, phys. ed. inc. hiking, athletics +gymnastics, differences w/ military training, map-reading, rifle shooting
von Schirach, '36 Law on Hitler Youth passed (membership more/less compulsory), for 10-18 years, both had political
youth wings of Weimar banned '33 + Church groups disbanded mid-30s, by '36 HY had 4mil. members, headed by Baldur
minds of youth, limiting time spent w/ parents, HY organised activities in evenings/weekends feeding Nazi propaganda,
The Hitler Youth - to overcome non-Nazi households (e.g. Communist/Social Democratic/ Catholic) by capturing hearts/
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Four Year Plan - intension to make country ready for war w/in 4yrs, launched at Nuremburg rallies '36, H wanted to increase
size/firepower + ensure not starved of vitals by enemies (naval blockade of WW1), aim to make GM as self-sufficient as
possible, "autarky", Schacht resigned as MoE in '37 (wanted plans slowed), replaced by Goering ("Plenipotentiary for 4Yr
SUCCESSES: - KdF + Winter Aid (Winterhilfwerk) programmes - Hitler Myth - middle-class satisfaction as no divisions in democracy/democracy at all - active resistance limited by fear of Nazi secret police (Gestapo).
Autarky - attempts to reduce imports of raw materials/food, e.g attempts made to encourage farmers who were given
grants to cultivate new land, industries required to use GM raw materials (even if cheaper imports SO low-grade home-
produced iron ore), investments to develop artificial subs for natural products ("ersatz" goods), plants to derive motor fuel
FAILURES: - society didn't become more equal - the Church continued its religious affiliations regional identities remained strong - unsuccessful at using Jews/other minorities as scapegoats - "consensus dictatorship", people went along w/ it because of use of terror, but didn't actively support it. - youth/women made least "progress"
Big Business - expected to cooperate w/ Goering + make profits, e.g. IG Farben (synthetic motor-fuel/synthetic rubber
+ Zyklon-B), failure to cooperate=by-passed, Ruhr's refusal=state-owned steelworks (Hermann Goering Works), by '40
employed 600,000.
Success? impossible to become completely self-sufficient, e.g. Lebensraum necessary to feed itself, agriculture not a
priority so suffered, 1.4mil left land, Reich Entailed Farm Law - preserve middle-size farms, steel production increased
by late '30s but not iron-ore, synthetic materials mixed success (e.g. motor fuel below planned), failure to reach targets,
played havoc w. finances, huge budget deficits, still importing 1/3 material.
Motor fuel 1,790 in '36, 2,340 in '38, 6,260 in '42, planned target 13,380 + steel, 19,216, 22,656, 20,480 w/ target 24,000.
Economic Miracle? propaganda heaped praise on H. compared to Weimar, no big improvements in standard of living (badly paid/heavily taxed/long hrs work). (FIGURES: in '33 4.8mil unemployed 25.9%, '34 2.7mil. 13.5%, '35 2.1mil. 10.3%, '36 1.6mil. 7.4%, '37 0.9mil. 4.1%, '38 0.4mil. 1.9%, '39 0.1mil. 0.5%). Unemployment to '36 - "Battle for Work" (Hjalmar Schacht; chief of national bank '33 + Minister of Economics '34), also non-Nazi w/ lots of power, officially 5mil. out of work '33 but more like 7mil. Fell in next 5yrs quicker than any other industrial country, consumer spending increased '32-'33 + "natural economic recovery" (not result of govt.), Schacht's investment in public works, e.g. autobahnen + lower-profile job creation schemes (land reclamation, road repairs, house building employing more than autobahnen), rearmament (large orders for warplanes, tanks, trucks, munitions, airfields/barracks rebuilt) as ToV ignored, military expense off public accounts 'til '35 --> "mefo bills" (secret credit notes), stats doctored, e.g. Jews/women not counted, 19-25yrs 6months unpaid in Reich Labour Service, compulsory military service, Schacht's New Plan '34 to solve BfW probs, rearmament used huge quantities of imported raw materials w/ high taxes (trade defecit), SO no imports w/o Ministry of Economics' permission, good but fewer imports/shortages.
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VEGETABLES
Economic Figures
Average working weeks: '33 = 43, '39 = 47 ALL FOOD GRAIN IRON ORE STEEL OIL Commodity 19,216 2,255 1,790 1936 1927-8 84% 68% 79% 22,656 3,360 2,340 1933-4 1938 90% 80% 99%
20,480
4,137
6,260
1942
1938-9
115%
91%
83%
13,830
24,000
5,549
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Military casualties - 16mil. served, 3mil. killed in action, 1.5mil. taken prisoner, most POWs died in captivity, casualties increased as war ended, more deaths in last 4 months than previous 2 yrs, desperate measures taken to keep enemies at bay so '44 People's Army (Volksstrum) est. ( a home guard of 16-60yr men), HY members in service as young as 14. 39-40: 0.09mil. 40-41: 0.16mil. 41-42: 0.49mil. 42-43: 0.47mil. 43-44: 0.57mil. 45: 1.47mil.Effects of Bombing - USA bombed by day/British by night, devastation, well-organised GM defence but c. 350,000 civilians killed/750,000 injured, 1/5 housing stock damaged/destroyed, 7mil. homeless by '45, main cities now rubble, Allies aimed to damage economy (e.g. Ruhr RAF attacks), designed to cause panic/ break morale (e.g. in Hamburg + Dresden w/ c. 60,000 deaths), GMs lost morale towards end so lived in fear/misery '43. Hamburg: 75% Cologne: 61% Stuttgart: 56% Frankfurt: 52% Munich: 42% Berlin: 33%Refugees - when Russians arrived between Jan/May '45 c. 5mil. left homes in fear. Women - maintained families/normality, air raids constant danger, food/clothing/fuel rationed, expected to work land/in factories, c. 100,000 rapes by Soviets in '45, no. working same as before. 40: 41% 41: 43% 42: 46% 43: 49% 44: 51%.Wartime Propaganda - Goebbels' ploys, played on fears of Russians, claimed GM developing miracle weapons, couldn't prevent declining support, esp. from '43-'45.
"Guns or Butter" Argument - debate about priorities; supplying consumer goods or rearmaments. Albert Speer - Armaments Minister '42, effectively replaced Goering (failed to stop GB evacuation at Dunkirk + bombing), no military/industry experience but organised/H's friend, recognised that GM had to prepare for "total war", big armaments production increases, replaced chaotic system where departments fought w/ each other, concentrated production on small conc. of gigantic factories, streamlined production cutting out waste/dplication, ineffective managers sacked, intensive use of slave labour, job more difficult as city bombing increased, abled GM to last longer than it might have otherwise, couldn't prevent defeat. Use of Foreign Resources - access to food supplies/raw materials from conquests, (French coal/ iron ore, Romanian oil,southern Russian wheat),exploited industrial facilities - steelworks/ munitions in France/Belgium, captured military equipment (French tanks/artillery used 'til '45), POW slave labour + foreign civilians, by '44 8mil. foreign labourers in GM factories (treated poorly by BMW/IG Farben/Messerschmidt/Krupps), CC/EC slave labourers at business enterprises near camps making building materials/clothes/furniture/armaments BUT most unskilled, oil shortages as oilfields couldn't keep up, defeated before took Baku oilfield in Russia '43.
Economic resources - was fighting GB, USSR + USA simultaeneously (3 v. powerful economies), USA's economy strong enough to supply aid to allies too, GM resources scarce w/ fewer people/ factories/raw materials, inability to match combined economic resources of Allies, not a forgone conc. as armies not necessarily determined/effective, GB/France equal w/ GM's economy but not on battlefield, Stalin suspicious of West, potentially dangerous breakdown. Allied Forces GM formidable fighting machine 39-42, stubborn/resilient 42-45, took time to defeat but by end Russian/GB forces better equipped/trained/led than before, Russian turnaround most decisive lthough had been disastrous in 41 (lost 4mil. men, 8,000 aircraft, 17,000 tanks) so made changes + improved morale. Hitler's Mistakes - Allies made mistakes, H assumed GB would make peace/ allow his Russian attack (Churchill's determination '40), under-estimated Russian capacity for war (racial inferiors), declared war on US after Pearl Harbor, believed US would come to GB's aid eventually/'twould be yrs before economy mobilised (US made GM its priority regardless of Japanese), H went against advice at Stalingrad so fought to last man (forced to surrender: 150,000 killed/100,000 POWs). Bombing - cut output in later yrs by c.20%, scarce resources needed to rebuild, 80% LUftwaffe needed to protect GM so unavailable to protect ground forces, e.g. only 200 warplanes facing 2,000 Allies in France.
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