Author: JOHN WISHART

The Nazis forced many women to leave their employment for ideological reasons. They believed the role of women was in the home.
They also forced Jewish people to leave their jobs.
They did not count women and Jews in the jobless figures reducing it substantially.
Of course other men would have benefited from the new jobs.

In 1935 all males from 18-35 were forced to join the army. For at least two years.
The army grew from 100,000 to 1.5million
This cut over 1 million men from the unemployed

The Rise & Fall of Unemployment 1929-39

Unemployment (millions)

Hitler wanted to prepare Germany for war. He began to REARM. He began producing Guns, new tanks, ships and planes.
Hitler wanted Germany to be a great power again and to reverse Versailles.
Producing these would provide huge orders for German factories and work for millions. However it was hugely expensive for Germany

Hitler liked to have everything ordered in Germany—The Hitler Youth, the SA. He also set about to organise the unemployed in a way which would benefit Germany. He formed the RAD (German Labour Front.
All men aged between 18-25 had to spend 6 months in the RAD.
They built Germanys first MOTORWAYS (Autobahns)
They planted new forests.
They built hospitals and schools.
The men were uniformed and lived in camps.
They were paid very little but had all their meals provided.

Hitler wanted to control every area of peoples lives. This included their leisure time. The Nazis calculated that the average German had about 10 hours free for leisure every day! This equalled 3740 per year!
Hitler had a special organisation called KDF Strength through Joy set up
It was led by Dr Robert Ley.
It was responsible for organising German peoples leisure activities.
He organised a huge programme of activities and rewards to fill peoples time and make them better Nazis.

Skiing or walking holidays in the Alps were cheap and affordable. (about 1 weeks wages) Hitler’s new autobahns helped make travel easier. 3 week tours of Italy were also available to the best workers.

2 specially built cruise liners offered workers holidays at bargain prices.
These were usually reserved for Nazi members.

There was even the Peoples car. The Volkswagen Beetle. This was intended to be the car for the German workers. It was to be made easily available on a savings scheme. Millions saved for one BUT the money went into weapons instead.

The KDF even had its own touring band. Millions saw plays musicals and operas for the 1st time!

Over 7 million took part in KDF Sports matches!

The Rise & Fall of Unemployment 1929-39

Unemployment (millions)

Hitler wanted to control every area of peoples lives. This included their leisure time. The Nazis calculated that the average German had about 10 hours free for leisure every day! This equalled 3740 per year!
Hitler had a special organisation called KDF Strength through Joy set up
It was led by Dr Robert Ley.
It was responsible for organising German peoples leisure activities.
He organised a huge programme of activities and rewards to fill peoples time and make them better Nazis.