History - KQ4 Life in Nazi Germany

What Were Nazi Attitudes Towards Women?

Nazi Beliefs About Women and Marriage Loans

-The Nazis believed men and women had different roles. Women were expected to stay at home, be good wives, and have children. They were concerned about the falling birth rate from 2 million births per year in 1900 to 1 million in 1933 and wanted more children for the future army.

-To encourage this, they introduced Marriage Loans. Women could receive 1000 Reichsmarks (RM) if they got married and left their jobs. For every child they had, 250RM of the loan was cancelled. If they had four children, they didn't have to repay anything.

Marriage Loans and Nazi Rewards for Motherhood

-Marriage loans were popular, with around 800,000 women taking them. The Nazis launched a propaganda campaign to promote their ideas about women and motherhood.

-They introduced the Mother's Cross to reward large families:

Gold for 8 children

Silver for 6

Bronze for 4

-Newly married women were also expected to attend mothercraft and homecraft classes, run by local Nazi officials (Gauleiters), to train them for their role at home.

Nazi Expectations for Women's Behaviour

-Nazi Germany gave women strict guidelines to follow. They were expected to:

-Not work, especially after getting married

Be blonde, athletic, wear full skirts, flat shoes, and no make-up

Join "One Pot Sunday" by making stew from leftovers to save money

-Not smoke in public, as it was seen as unladylike

Raise children to be loyal Nazis, worship Hitler, and join the Hitler Youth

-Women were also expected to live by the 3 K's:Kinder (Children), Küche (Kitchen), Kirche (Church).

1937 - Change in Women's Roles: Women Needed for Work

-By 1937, Nazi policy on women had to change. After rearmament and the return of conscription in 1935, it was clear Germany needed more workers, including women.

-Despite Hitler's reluctance, the rules were changed.

Marriage loans were scrapped.

-A Duty Year (Arbeitsdienst) was introduced: women had to work for a year on a farm or in a family home for food and shelter, but no wages.

-While more women began working, the numbers still never reached pre-Nazi levels.

1938 - Nazi Divorce Law to Increase Births

-By the late 1930s, the birth rate was falling again, just as war was approaching. To fix this, the Nazis introduced a new Divorce Law in 1938:

-A quick divorce was allowed if a couple had no children.

This encouraged people to remarry and have children, supporting the Nazi goal of a growing population.

1938 - Lebensborn Programme

-Also in 1938, the Nazis started the Lebensborn Programme to increase the number of racially "pure" Aryan children:

Unmarried women were encouraged to become pregnant by SS men.

-The idea was to "donate a baby to the Führer."

Some women reportedly shouted Hitler's name during childbirth to show loyalty.

-During WWII, Lebensborn expanded to Scandinavian countries, where many Aryans were believed to live.

How Success Were Nazi Policies Towards Women (Successes)

-Under Nazi rule, over 500,000 more babies were born per year compared to the Weimar Republic, totaling about 3 million extra children.

-Women were generally Hitler's loyal followers, with many giving up work without resistance. They embraced the 3 K's and raised children with Nazi values.

-Many women felt better off compared to the Great Depression, attributing their improved situation to Hitler.

-The Lebensborn policy was accepted by Hitler's most fanatical female supporters, as they saw it as crucial for Germany.

How Success Were Nazi Policies Towards Women (Limitations)

-Due to conscription and the demands of war, the Nazis did not fully stop women from working. After 1937, women were needed for the war effort, though fewer women were working under the Nazis than in the Weimar Republic.

-A small number of women were bitter about having to give up their careers in 1933.

What Were Nazi Attitudes Towards Young People

Hitler Youth Training for Boys (1933)

-In 1933, Hitler wanted to turn young boys into future Nazis and soldiers:

-Boys began in the German Young People and progressed to the Hitler Youth (HJ).

-By 1936, membership became compulsory, with 3 million boys in the Hitler Youth, although not all joined.

Training for Girls and BDM (1933)

-Girls were trained to become the wives and mothers of Nazi soldiers:

-They started in the Young Girls and moved to the League of German Maidens (BDM).

-By 1936, 2.5 million girls were in the BDM.

Interest in the BDM was slower than the HJ, so Goebbels promoted girls' involvement with propaganda posters in 1935-36.

Nazi Training for Girls

-In Nazi Germany, girls were trained to become the wives and mothers of Nazi soldiers.

-They began their training in the Young Girls organization and progressed to the League of German Maidens (BDM).

-The BDM was designed to prepare girls for their future roles in supporting the Nazi regime and raising future soldiers.

Activities for Boys in the Hitler Youth (HJ)

-Boys in the Hitler Youth (HJ) were trained to become soldiers and loyal Nazis:

-Military drills and physical fitness to prepare for future military service.

-Paramilitary training with a focus on discipline and obedience.

Nazi ideology lessons to ensure loyalty to Hitler and Nazi values.

-Camping, hiking, and outdoor activities to build teamwork and survival skills.

-Community service and social activities that reinforced the Nazi sense of unity and patriotism.

1935 - Nuremberg Rally

-They filled the front rows and provided military music.

-The Hitler Youth leader, Baldur Von Schirach, gave a speech, followed by Hitler's speech to the Youth.

-Hitler emphasized their duty to die for Germany and promised to right past wrongs.

-He declared that the blood of the Youth was the blood of Germany, and they held the future of the country.

-All Hitler Youth members swore an oath of allegiance to Hitler.

1936 - Berlin Olympics

-Hitler and Goebbels used the event to display German strength, with a new Olympic stadium and expectations for Aryan athletes to win.

-German women won medals in javelin, but Jesse Owens, a black athlete, defeated the German athletes in the Men's 100 meters.

-This loss angered Hitler, and he never returned to the stadium for future events.

The League of German Maidens

Two separate youth groups for girls:

-Jungmädel (Young Maidens) for ages 10-14

-Bund Deutscher Mädel (BDM) for ages 14-21

Activities for girls included:

-Political activities, such as rallies and swearing oaths of allegiance.

-Physical and character-building activities, like camping and marching.

-However, girls did not receive military training. Instead, they were trained in household skills such as cooking, ironing, making beds, and sewing.

-Girls were also taught the importance of 'racial hygiene', encouraged to marry only Aryan men to maintain the purity of the German race.

Nazi Control Of Education

Nazi control of teachers

-In 1933, the Nazis passed a law allowing them to sack teachers they disapproved of.

-All teachers had to swear an oath of loyalty and join the Nazi Teachers' League, which ran political education courses to promote Nazi ideas.

-By 1939, over 200,000 teachers had attended these courses.

-Teachers enforced Nazi rituals, including the Nazi salute, starting and ending lessons with 'Heil Hitler', and decorating classrooms with Nazi posters and flags.

Nazi Control of the Curriculum

-The Nazis took full control of the school curriculum to promote their ideology:

-History focused on glorifying Germany's past and vilifying Jews and other enemies.

-Biology emphasized racial theories, promoting Aryan superiority and the need for racial purity.

-Physical education was designed to prepare boys for military service and girls for motherhood.

-Girls were taught domestic skills, while boys received more military-focused training.

-Teachers were required to promote Nazi ideals and swear loyalty oaths to Hitler.

-The Nazis introduced new schools to ensure complete control over education:

-Napolas (National Political Educational Institutions) were created to train future Nazi leaders, with a strong emphasis on military training, physical fitness, and Nazi ideology.

-Adolf Hitler Schools were set up to provide elite education for boys, focusing on loyalty to Hitler, military preparation, and racial purity.

-These schools rejected traditional education methods in favor of indoctrination, ensuring students were fully aligned with Nazi values.

-Girls' schools were focused on teaching domestic skills and preparing them to be good mothers and wives, in line with Nazi gender roles.

How Did The Nazi's Improve The Economy

Economic Recovery under the Nazis

-The Nazis focused on rebuilding Germany's economy after the Great Depression:

-Public works like the Autobahn created jobs and improved infrastructure.

-Unemployment drastically dropped by the mid-1930s due to economic stimulation efforts.

-Autarky aimed to make Germany economically independent, producing goods like steel, coal, and oil.

Rearmament and Military Expansion

-The Nazis focused on rearmament to prepare for war:

Rearmament began secretly, violating the Treaty of Versailles, expanding the military, building weapons, and developing technology.

-Conscription was reintroduced in 1935, expanding the army and boosting employment.

-These policies prepared Germany for war, ultimately leading to World War II.

Workers' Benefits and Propaganda

The Nazis used propaganda and social programs to control and appeal to workers:

-Propaganda praised workers and linked them with Hitler's vision.

-Strength Through Joy (KdF) offered affordable leisure like theater, cinema, trips, and cruises; over 2 million Germans enjoyed KdF holidays by 1939.

-Workers were encouraged to save for a Volkswagen Beetle through a savings plan, but it was halted by war in 1939.

-The Beauty of Labour (SdA) movement improved working conditions with better facilities like washing areas and canteens, but workers were often forced to do this extra work for no pay.

Workers' Loss of Rights under the Nazis

-Under Nazi control, workers lost representation and rights:

Political parties like the SDP were banned, and trade unions were abolished.

-Workers were forced to join the German Labour Front (DAF), run by Dr. Robert Ley, which controlled wages, working hours, and conditions.

-Workers could not strike, and although wages were low, prices were strictly controlled.

Unemployment and Wages under Nazi Policies

The Nazi employment policies led to a significant reduction in unemployment:

-Unemployment fell from over 5 million in 1933 to around half a million in 1939.

-This statistic did not include the 'invisible unemployed' (e.g., women forced to stay home, Jews, workers in the Reich Labour Front).

-Wages increased by about 20% by 1939, but this was unequal, with workers in arms industries seeing larger wage increases than those in the Reich Labour Front (RAD).

Cost of Living and Standard of Living under the Nazis

The standard of living improved for some workers but was limited by rising costs:

-The price of goods rose by about 20% from 1933 to 1939, balancing out wage increases for many workers.

-Skilled workers saw an improvement in living standards, with an increase in luxury purchases like cars, with car ownership tripling.

-Low-paid, unskilled workers used their increased wages to cover higher prices for essentials like food, limiting any real improvement in their standard of living.

The German Labour Front (DAF)

-In 1933, the Nazis banned trade unions, fearing they could disrupt the economy and challenge their rule.

-Trade unions were replaced by the German Labour Front (DAF), led by Dr. Robert Ley, which controlled workers' rights, pay, and working hours. Workers lost the ability to negotiate pay or strike, and the working week increased by about 6 hours.

-The DAF also had the power to punish those who disrupted production.

How Did the Nazi Achieve Employement?

Public Works Programmes

-The Nazis initiated large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the construction of the Autobahn (motorways), which created numerous jobs and stimulated the economy.

-These projects were presented as a means to reduce unemployment and promote national pride.

-While the Autobahn construction did employ many, it's important to note that the extent of its impact on overall employment has been a subject of historical debate.

Rearmament

-The regime invested heavily in military production, leading to the expansion of the arms industry and the creation of jobs in sectors like steel and coal.

-This rearmament program was a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles and aimed at preparing Germany for future conflicts.

-The increased demand for military equipment and supplies significantly boosted employment in related industries. ​

Conscription

-In 1935, Hitler reintroduced military conscription, which not only expanded the army but also reduced unemployment by absorbing a significant portion of the workforce.

-This policy was part of the Nazis' broader strategy to strengthen the military and prepare for territorial expansion.

-While it provided employment for many young men, it also led to the exclusion of certain groups from the workforce, as they were deemed unfit for military service.

Labour Front (DAF)

-The Nazis dissolved trade unions and replaced them with the German Labour Front (DAF), which controlled workers' rights, pay, and working hours.

-The DAF aimed to unify workers under Nazi ideology and eliminate any potential opposition.

-While it provided some benefits to workers, such as leisure activities and improved working conditions, it also restricted workers' rights to negotiate and strike, consolidating state control over the workforce

Exclusion of Certain Groups

-While official unemployment figures dropped, the Nazis excluded certain groups, such as Jews, women, and members of the Reich Labour Front, from these statistics.

-These groups were either forced out of the workforce or relegated to roles deemed appropriate by Nazi ideology.

-This manipulation of employment data created a misleading picture of the economic situation in Germany during the Nazi era.

Why Did The Nazi Persecute Many Groups in Germany

Nazi beliefs

-​In Mein Kampf, Hitler outlined his belief in the "Aryan" race as the "master race" (Herrenvolk), considering Germanic peoples superior to all others.

-He deemed those not fitting this ideal as inferior and unworthy of life (Lebensunwertes Leben).

-The Nazis classified groups such as Jews, Slavs, and Romani people as "Untermenschen" (subhuman), justifying discriminatory policies and actions against them.

Eugenics and Racial Hygiene

-The Nazis believed in the idea of selective breeding.

-The Nazis wanted a strong Germany of Aryans, which could be encouraged through education in schools and in Nazi policies.

-They could also prevent unsuitable groups by sterilising them.

Anti-Semitism

​-The Nazis propagated antisemitic beliefs, blaming Jews for Germany's defeat in World War I, the Treaty of Versailles, hyperinflation, and the Great Depression.

-This scapegoating was part of a broader narrative that falsely accused Jews of undermining the nation, despite many Jews having served in the German military during the war.

-These baseless accusations fueled widespread hatred and discrimination against Jews in Nazi Germany.

Homosexuals

-Homosexuals were persecuted by the Nazis because they did not fit the ideal of Nazi masculinity and were seen as failing to contribute to the growth of the Aryan population.

-The Nuremberg Laws increased this persecution, with many being imprisoned, subjected to voluntary castration, and sent to concentration camps where they faced harsh treatment and brutal conditions.

Slavs

-Slavs were an ethnic group from Eastern Europe, with many living in Germany during the 1930s.

-Nazi propaganda and education portrayed them as Untermenschen (subhuman), claiming they should be treated differently.

-The Nazis also used this belief to justify plans to invade Slavic countries for Lebensraum (living space).

-However, before the outbreak of World War II, Slavs faced less persecution compared to other minority groups.

Gypsies

-The Roma people, around 26,000 in 1930s Germany, were persecuted by the Nazis for not contributing enough through work or taxes and for threatening racial purity.

-In 1933, many were arrested as social nuisances and sent to concentration camps.

-By 1936, Roma in Berlin were forced into poor-quality camps. -In 1938, they were banned from travelling in groups, registered, and racially tested—losing citizenship if they failed. -In 1939, plans began to deport them from Germany.

People with Disabilities

-Disabled people were seen by the Nazis as a burden on society and a threat to racial purity.

-In 1933, the Law for the Prevention of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring made sterilisation compulsory for those with conditions like mental illness, epilepsy, deafness, and blindness resulting in 40,000 people being sterilised by 1939.

-That same year, the T4 euthanasia programme began, leading to the murder of 70,000 disabled adults and 5,000 children through lethal injection, gassing, or starvation.

The Persecution of the Jews

Early Persecution of Jews (1933-1935)

-1 April 1933: The April Boycott, an official boycott of all Jewish businesses. SA painted Jewish stars or "Jude" on shops and discouraged customers.

-April 1933: Jews were banned from government jobs, including civil servants and teachers.

-September 1933: Jews were banned from inheriting land.

-1934: Jews were banned from public places like swimming pools, parks, and cinemas.

-1935: Jews were banned from joining the army.

Nuremberg Laws and Registration (1935-1938)

-September 1935: The Nuremberg Laws were introduced, stripping Jews of citizenship and rights.

-March 1938: Jews were forced to register all their possessions with the government.

-July 1938: Jews had to carry identity cards, making it easier to track and persecute them.

-November 1938: Kristallnacht—violent pogrom against Jewish businesses, synagogues, and homes.

Deportation and Eviction of Jews (1939)

-January 1939: The Reich Office for Jewish Emigration was set up under Reinhard Heydrich of the Gestapo to deport all Jews from Germany.

-April 1939: Orders were issued to evict Jews from their homes and begin their deportation from Germany.

The Reich Law on Citizenship (September 1935)

-September 1935: The Nuremberg Laws are announced at the Nuremberg Rally.

-The Reich Law on Citizenship stated that only those of German blood could be German citizens.

-As a result, Jews were stripped of German citizenship, losing rights such as voting, holding government office, and possessing a German passport.

-Jews were required to wear a yellow star-shaped patch for identification

The Reich Law for the Protection of German Blood and Honour (September 1935)

-The Reich Law for the Protection of German Blood and Honour forbade Jews from marrying German citizens or having sexual relations with them.

-This law aimed to maintain "racial purity" by preventing any mixing between Jews and Germans.

Causes of Kristallnacht (Nov 9-10, 1938)

-On 7 November 1938, Nazi diplomat vom Rath was murdered in Paris by Herschel Grynszpan, a Jew protesting the treatment of his family.

-In response, Goebbels ordered Kristallnacht, directing local papers to condemn the shooting.

-The SA, SS, and Gestapo were tasked with attacking synagogues and Jewish homes.

-Hitler approved extending the violence across Germany, ordering Nazi leaders to coordinate attacks on Jews and their property, with police instructed not to intervene.

Events of Kristallnacht (Nov 9-10, 1938)

-On 9-10 November, synagogues were burned, Jews were arrested, and some were killed by SS, SA, and Hitler Youth groups.

-Members of the public sometimes joined the violence.

Official figures reported 814 shops, 171 homes, and 191 synagogues destroyed, with about 100 Jews killed.

Consequences of Kristallnacht

-Jews were fined 1 billion marks to pay for the damage caused during the attacks.

-By 12 November 1938, 20,000 Jews had been sent to concentration camps.

-The lack of public outcry encouraged the Nazi regime to escalate their persecution of Jews and seek their total removal from Germany.