yr11_nazis_men

=__Men in Nazi Germany__=

The DAF


The DAF was //The German Labour Front// which replaced the Weimar Republic Trade unions that were outlawed on May 2, 1933. The leader of the DAF was Robert Ley; the DAF existed to control the workers and their wages. Employment contracted created under the Weimar Republic were abolished and under the DAF renewed with new circumstances. The workers were demanded more by their employers but at the same time were given more security at their work and were involved in more leisure activities. To be a part of the DAF was voluntary on paper but any person working in German commerce or industry would have it hard to get a job without being a member of the DAF.

**RAD**
The RAD provided compulsory jobs funded by the Nazi Government. The work would include work in the "autobahns" - which were the first motorways in the world. The German men could not refuse any work given to them by the RAD and this was how they kept the unemployment figures down. The workers lived in work camps where conditions were poor and they had to wear uniforms.

**Strength through Joy**
Strength through Joy was a state-controlled leisure organization in the third Reich. It was part of the DAF; it was set up to promote the advantages of Nation Socialism to the German people and after being set was the largest tourist organization in the 1930’s. The DAF had a created itself a goal of “a National Socialist people’s community and the perfection and refinement of the German people” The DAF tried to reach this goal through planned recreational programs.

**The beauty of labour**
The Beauty of labour Movement (Schönheit der Arbeit) was a propaganda organisation of the Nazi government from the period 1936 to its eventual decline in 1945. It worked with its counter part organisation Strength through Joy to achieve a overall appeasment of the German Population.


 * The New Plan**

The New Plan which was planned by Hjalmar Schacht (a respectable banker) Aimed to increase production of consumer goods, increase exports which would improve the balance of trade. The main features were:


 * Foreign countries were paid in German goods rather than money.
 * There was a limit on the amount of profits which could be taken out through dividends.


 * The Four Plan**

The fours Year plan under Goering called for the production of armaments and not food, Germany could simply seize natural resources by force instead of relying on economic power.

**Why did they do this?**
Politically - Hitler wanted to increase Germany's capacity in armaments and this is one reason why he abandoned the 'New Plan' for the 'Four Year Plan'.

Economically - When Hitler came into power Germany was in a desperate situation economically. It was in national Debt and the amount of exports was not exceding the amount of imports. Hitler put in new policies to help to ease the economic troubles in Germany. These policies include the DAF, The New Plan, The Four Year Plan and the RAD.

**The Successes**
The number of German people unemployed came down very quickly after RAD was introduced. By 1939 the number of unemployed had fallen to 0.3 million from 6 million. Although women, Jews and conscripted soldiers were not included in the figures of unemployment. The German working class benefited from cheap housing created by the DAF. The Beauty of Labour achieved cleaner enviroments for the workers to work in and also employers had to provide meal for the workers. Because of Strength through Joy workers could go on holidays and cruises and listen to concerts and operas. The autobahns were the first motorways in the world and were built by the DAF. They served a military purpose as acting as vital communications and supply lines.

In 1939 there were 6 million unemployed in Germany before the DAF was introduced. In 1939 unemployment was down to 0.3 million. This was a good success of the DAF, Hitler delivered on his promise to decrease unemployment in Germany.

**The Failures**
Although the RAD was provding jobs for the German Men they were poorly paid and they lived in work camps. By 1939 there was still 0.3 million Germans unemployed. Jews, women and constripted soldiers were not taken into acount for in the unemployment figures. Although Germany had a stronger economy the amount of exports never exceeded the amount of imports so the balance of trade was never restored. And Germany still relied on foreign imports of materials for example oil.