Nazi Policies (1933-1945)

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to Nazi policies in Germany from 1933-1945.

economic policies

autarky, Schacht’s debt refinancing, rearmament, the German Labour Front

Autarky

National economic self-sufficiency by reducing Germany's dependence on imported goods and raw materials. This was particularly important after the economic crash caused by reliance on international loans from the US.

Goring was tasked with overseeing the change.

the Four-Year-Plan was introduced in 1936 which focused on achieving the goal.

It was partially successful as it increased domestic production but Germany was still reliant on imports.

Schacht’s debt financing

Aimed to solve Germany’s inflation by ceasing the printing of “worthless money” and recalling the mark. They implemented the Rentenmark which was backed with all German land and industrial assets.

The policy also aimed to finance rearmament and public works, this was done through Mefo bills

It temporarily reduced economic stress as unemployment decreased however it also led to the dependence on future debt payments.

Rearmament policy

Aimed to rebuild Germany’s military strength, defying the Treaty of Versailles and preparing for territorial expansion and war. It was also part of the economic policies to create new jobs.

This caused the German military to grow substantially and by 1939, Germany had one of the most powerful armies in Europe. It also caused economic growth because more jobs were created. However, it increased international tension as it violated the terms of the ToV.

The German Labour Front

Established in May 1933, it replaced independent trade unions and centralised control over labour, led by Robert Ley. It aimed to eliminate strikes, control wages, and ensure a disciplined labour force.

It allowed the regime to gain full control over the German workforce.

political policies

aimed to eliminate opposition and establish centralised Nazi control over all aspects to German life

Gleichschaltung

Coordination (Gleichschaltung)

The process of Nazification in 1933 aimed to eliminate opposition and establish centralised Nazi control over all aspects of German life.

Nazi Cultural policies

Promotion of art and culture that aligned with Nazi ideology.

The Reich Culture Chamber, Great German Art, Degenerate Art

Reichskulturkammer- Reich Culture Chamber

Established in 1933 by Josef Goebbels to control all cultural and artistic activities in Germany. It aimed to ensure that all art supported Nazi values.

Gave the regime control over cultural life and promoted ideolgy

Great German Art Exhibition

An exhibition organized by Goebbels in 1937 to display acceptable artwork and reinforce the Nazi ideal of the Volksgemeinschaft.

It effectively promoted the ideal art of Nazi Germany and create a sense of cultural nationalism.

Degenerate Art

The Nazis' denunciation of modernist, abstract, and non-conventional art forms, viewing them as a threat to their view of Aryan culture. The campaign was launched in 1937.

It suppressed artist and led to many artworks being destroyed. It also led to further indoctrination into the Nazi ideology.

social policies

christianity, German Faith Movement, the Indoctrination of Youth, German Labour Front

National Socialist People's Welfare policy

Restricted welfare and charitable aid to individuals who were "racially superior" and could prove their value to the Volksgemeinschaft.

Concordant with the Catholics

Signed in 1933 to reduce opposition from the Catholic Church by guaranteeing the rights of members, but was quickly broken as churches faced persecution.

German Faith Movement

A Nazi-supported religious movement based on Germanic paganism and Nazi ideology, founded by Jakob Wilhelm Hauer.

Active from 1933-1945.

It had limited success as most Germans remained Christian. At its height the movement had around 200,000 followers which was 0.3% of the population.

Indoctrination of Youth

Compulsory membership aimed to indoctrinate youth by training boys for military service and teaching girls about motherhood.

Made compulsory in 1936.

Manu young people devoted their time to the Nazi youth groups and even reported family members. However, it also created resistance groups such as the Edelweiss pirates.

Policies for women and minorities

The cult of the mother, lebensborn, Kinder, Kuche, Kirche, Nazi persecution of Jews, the disabled, other minorities and concentration camp markings

The Cult of the Mother

Glorified motherhood and awarded German mothers that fit the criteria the Mother’s Cross, encouraging them to leave the workforce and build families of Aryan children.

Caused birthrates to increase from 14.7 children per 1000 people in 1933 to 19.7 in 1938

Lebensborn

An SS-run programme that impregnated unmarried, “racially pure” women by SS officers to increase the Nazi population.

Thousands of children were born under the programme however, in 1939, Himmler decided it had not produced the results he has hoped for.

Kinder, Kuche, Kirche

Reinforced gender roles with women bearing children and was a primary propaganda message of the Nazi party.

Ineffective policy as the number of women in the workforce increased from 4.2 million in 1933 to 6.2 in 1939. All women were required to work in the Year of Duty 1938.

Nazi persecution of Jews

Nuremburg race laws excluded Jews from German society, eventually leading to their extermination in concentration camps.

6 million Jews were murdered in the holocaust

The disabled

People with physical or mental disabilities were aimed to be removed from society which led to over 250,000 murdered with the T4 euthanasia programme.

Other minorities

Other minorities such as Roma, Jehovah’s witnesses, Black Germans, homosexuals, and political opponents were eliminated from society as they were sent to concentration camps to enforce racial purity and ideological conformity.