Nazi Economic Recovery and Rearmament

1. How did the Nazi Regime attempt to win the loyalty of its workers? Define the following:
a. Strength Through Joy program: The workers were loyal because of the things that were given to them, aside from having jobs: good workers were able to obtain things that others could not: 5 Reichsmarks every so often would obtain them a Volkswagen Beetle ( eventually), they could buy discounted theatre tickets, or even cheap cruises, this kept the working population happy so they would not rebel. 

b. Volkswagen Beetle (the people's car): The people's car, could be obtained by German Citizen through hard work, and deduction of 5 reichmarks per pay check. They would never actually get these cars because the production of this car was halted because of the necessity to create war goods.

c. Beauty of Labor movement:  The beauty through labor movement made sure that the places that the German worker worked in were clean and good looking, and that there were places that the people could eat ( cafeterias) , and stay happy and healthy while at work. ( low cost canteens and washing facilities were now here at work)

2. Define the following Farming Programs. Be sure to provide the pros and cons of each program:

a. Reich Food Estate: The government would buy the food for farmers, and sell it on a market: therefore the farmers never had to worry about there not being a market for them to sell their goods. Pros: money in for farmers, food production for germans Cons: more efficent farmers had to work the same way that the less efficent farmers did, and this hindered their production.  

b. Reich Entailed Farm Law: Farmers had protection for their farms, the bank couldnt seize the farms:if they couldnt pay morgages or loans.the land would always belong to the peasants. Cons; banks became unwilling to lend money to farmers and peasants. Pro: Oldest child inherited farm, bank could not take a families land.

3. Define Volksgemeinschaft. (Hint: It is in the reading, plus my notes)
A national community where people would not see themselves as Peasants, or Workers, or Farmers: they would see themselves as German.Their loyalty would not be to their class but to Germany and Hitler.