topic 4 - the social impact of the great depression

the depression led to a high unemployment rate amongst…

young people

in 1933, what was the unemployment rate for young men?

39%

in 1933, what was the unemployment rate for young women?

25%

what did this rise in unemployment make people fear?

a rise in youth crime and political extremism

although the rate of juvenile convictions did not increase…

the rate of accusations did

what charges increased amongst young men?

theft and offences against the state

what counted as offences against the state?

violent disorder in political demonstrations

the rise in these charges reflects…

the deteriorating political situation

what increased during the depression?

the involvement of young men in political extremism

what parties had success in recuriting unemployed young men?

the KPD and the nazis

what did the KPD offer these men?

joining political rallies and street fights with the opposition

what did the nazis offer these men?

these same opportunities in addition to food, shelter and uniforms

a majority of young men at this time…

had no contact with the political extremes

while the government did help the young unemployed…

they were more focused on controlling expenditure on unemployment benefits

what did the government set up for young people?

youth centres where they could socialise and emergency work schemes

were the emergency work schemes mandatory?

yes

what happened on these schemes?

young people were forced to do unskilled manual labour for less than minimum wage

these schemes were very unpopular with the youth and led to…

two waves of strikes for higher wages in october 1930 and june 1932

were these schemes successful?

no as they did not improve chances of finding permanent work

why could it be argued that women fared well during the depression?

because the number of female workers increased during the depression

however, the dismissal of millions of workers reignited the debate of…

whether or not married women should work

what did the right do?

they launched a campaign against the employment of ‘double earners’

was this successful?

yes as a law was passed in may 1932 which allowed female civil servants to be dismissed

the law only applied to the…

central government and women could only be dismissed if it could be proved their economic situation was secure

how many women were dismissed by the reich postal service following the laws passing?

1000