Nazi Policies - Standard of Living

What happened to the standard of living in Nazi Germany?

Standard of living is a way of measuring whether a person's life is improving or not. It is affected by several factors such as employment, wages and prices. For some people it improved and they benefitted but for others it did not.

How did employment change the standard of living in Nazi Germany?

Employment affected the standard of living and some people benefitted:

• ❖ More people were in work in Nazi Germany so they had wages. New jobs were created building autobahns, hospitals and schools, and within the military.
• ❖ However, those not in work, like the Jews, did not see an increase in their standard of living and did not benefit.

How did wages change the standard of living in Nazi Germany?

Wages affected people's standard of living and whether someone benefitted from Nazi rule:

• ❖ Overall, wages increased compared to 1933; there was a 20% increase by 1939 so that the average weekly wages rose from 86 marks in 1932 to 109 marks in 1939.
• ❖ However, it depended on your job. Those in the Reich Labour Service were not paid much.

How did prices of goods change the standard of living in Nazi Germany?

The price of goods affected the standard of living. Wages increased by about 20% between 1933 and 1939, but so too did the price of food. Therefore, workers did not benefit.

How did working hours change the standard of living in Nazi Germany?

The number of hours Germans worked each week increased to 49 by 1939; 6 more than in 1933. Thus, workers did not really have a pay rise, and did not benefit.

How did the Labour Front change the standard of living in Nazi Germany?

The Labour Front (DAF) impacted the standard of living and whether people benefitted:

• ❖ It worked to protect the rights of workers as it placed a maximum on the number of hours worked and a minimum on wages.
• ❖ However, workers also lost their right to go on strike and ability to negotiate their wages.

How did Strength Through Joy change the standard of living in Nazi Germany?

Strength Through Joy (KDF) impacted the standard of living and whether people benefitted:

• ❖ It provided cheap leisure activities including films, theatre shows, outings and sports events. Many people benefitted from this.
• ❖ However, KDF also meant that people's leisure time was being controlled by the Nazi party. Some resented this level of interference in their lives.

How did Beauty of Labour change the standard of living in Nazi Germany?

The Beauty of Labour (SDA) affected the German standard of living and whether people benefitted from Nazi rule:

• ❖ It campaigned for better working conditions and facilities, such as better toilets.
• ❖ Workers often had to carry out the improvements themselves in their own time and without being paid for the work they did.

How did the standard of living change in Nazi Germany?

There is evidence to suggest that some people did benefit from Nazi rule and their standard of living improved, but many's did not.

In what ways did the standard of living improve in Nazi Germany?

There were 9 main ways in which the standard of living improved and people benefitted:

• ❖ Non-Jewish small businesses benefitted when the Nazis banned new department stores from opening up as it limited their competition. They were also helped when Jewish businesses were closed down.
• ❖ Farmers benefitted as some farm debts were written off.
• ❖ Big business benefitted from the government's investment in the armaments industry. They were helped by the restrictions placed on trade union activity.
• ❖ Unemployment was reduced. Unskilled workers gained work through the public works programmes.
• ❖ Working conditions improved through the activities of the Beauty of Labour scheme.
• ❖ Strength through Joy offered cheap leisure activities and cheap holidays.
• ❖ Young people benefitted from the camaraderie and training provided in the Hitler Youth, as well as an increase in their health and fitness.
• ❖ Women's role within the home was respected and Aryan women were given rewards if they had multiple children.
• ❖ People accepted giving up some freedoms in return for greater economic stability.

In what ways did the standard of living not improve in Nazi Germany?

There were 11 main ways in which the standard of living did not benefit the population:

• ❖ Between 1936 and 1939 the number of small businesses decreased.
• ❖ Farmers objected to government interference and struggled to find enough workers.
• ❖ Larger businesses objected to Nazi interference in all aspects of business life, such as price controls.
• ❖ Unemployment benefit was higher than the wages for unskilled workers so there was little incentive to work. Their working week also increased from 43 to 49 hours by 1939.
• ❖ If you belonged to any of the groups the Nazis persecuted or forced out of a job, your standard of living was much lower.
• ❖ Unemployed men aged between 18 and 25 resented being forced to join the Reich Labour Services. The jobs were difficult and it was run along military lines with a uniform and strict discipline.
• ❖ Strength through Joy activities were controlled by the Nazis. Therefore, people were not free to choose where to go on holiday and activities were limited.
• ❖ Many women were forced to give up their jobs and resented this.
• ❖ Because trade unions were banned people lost their democratic voice and their ability to influence change in their working conditions. Workers had no rights.
• ❖ Food prices went up and there were fewer consumer goods to buy.
• ❖ Many people objected to Nazi indoctrination, and the level of control the Nazis had in their lives.

How did the standard of living in Nazi Germany change when the Second World War broke out?

When war was declared, the standard of living changed. Women were called back into work and work schemes changed to focus on increased production of weapons. More men were also conscripted and working hours increased, too.