Nazi Germany Economics 1933-45

Nazis came to power during time of economic instability following Great Depression. Over 6 million unemployed, homelessness rising. Biggest priority for Nazis- economic recovery

Economic problems faced by the Nazi government:

High unemployment

• Depression turning around and businesses employing people again
• Jews not allowed to work in certain occupations which took them out of the statistics
• Nazis created work and encouraged businesses to do the same- temporary work
• Road building schemes created work

Dependent on foreign trade for essential goods

• Set up Reich agencies to control importing of farm produce
• Desire for autarky- Produce most goods in Germany for less trade
• Increased import tarrifs on agricultural produce

Farming industry in crisis

• Banned banks from repossesing farms from farmers in debt to keep them farming
• RNS set up regulated food production and distribution of farm produce and prices and farm wages

Weak small businesses 

• Nazi propaganda discouraged using department stores becuase small businesses supported Hitler and most owners of big stores had not

Too many working days lost to strikes

• 1st May made a socialist workers festival
• 6th May only 1 union (DAF)- difficult to get work if not a member. 

Crisis of 1935-36

• Many countries demanding cash for goods
• Growing shortages of fats and…