Editor’s Summary: This article critically examines the economic policies of Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1939, highlighting how these strategies dramatically reduced unemployment and reshaped society. By initiating public works projects, rearming the military, and influencing the labor market, the regime created jobs but also enforced traditional gender roles and marginalized Jews. The policies towards women encouraged domesticity but later shifted due to labor shortages, while Jewish economic marginalization evolved from cautious to aggressive measures. The study underscores the regime’s ideological motivations and their long-term societal impacts.
Economic Policies of Nazi Germany: Impact on Employment, Women, and Jews
Abstract
This article examines the economic policies implemented by the Nazi regime in Germany between 1933 and 1939. It focuses on three key areas: general employment strategies, policies affecting women’s participation in the workforce, and the gradual economic marginalization of Jews. The study reveals how these policies contributed to a significant reduction in unemployment while simultaneously reshaping German society along ideological lines.
1. Introduction
The period following the Great Depression saw Germany grappling with severe economic challenges, including widespread unemployment. By 1933, approximately 6 million Germans were unemployed. However, by 1939, this figure had dramatically decreased to 119,000. This article explores the economic policies and strategies employed by the Nazi regime to achieve this reduction, with particular attention to their impact on women and the Jewish population.
2. General Employment Strategies
2.1 Public Works Projects
One of the most significant initiatives was the construction of 7,000 km of motorways (Autobahnen). Initiated in 1932, this project provided 600,000 jobs by September 1933. The state-funded demand for materials such as steel and concrete stimulated private sector employment as companies expanded to meet increased demand.
2.2 Fiscal Policies
The Nazi regime implemented tax cuts for the working class, increasing disposable income and stimulating consumer spending. This, in turn, led to increased employment in retail and manufacturing sectors.
2.3 Military Expansion
The rearmament program, which received nearly 20 billion Reichsmarks in investment, created numerous jobs in the arms industry. Additionally, the introduction of conscription in 1935 and the expansion of the armed forces from 100,000 in 1933 to 1,400,000 in 1939 significantly reduced unemployment figures.
2.4 Youth Employment
The establishment of the Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) youth group in 1934 provided 400,000 jobs for young Germans.
3. Policies Affecting Women’s Employment
3.1 Ideology and Initial Policies
The Nazi regime promoted a traditional role for women, encapsulated in the slogan “Kirche, Küche, Kinder” (Church, Kitchen, Children). This ideology translated into policies aimed at removing women from the workforce:
- The Law for the Reduction of Unemployment (1933) barred women from becoming civil servants, doctors, or lawyers.
- Official guidelines encouraged companies to employ men over women.
- Marriage loans of 600 Reichsmarks were offered to women who gave up their jobs.
3.2 Economic Incentives for Childbearing
To further encourage women to focus on domestic roles, the regime:
- Provided grants of up to 100 Reichsmarks per child for large families (1935).
- Closed birth control centers and restricted access to contraception.
- Reduced household debts by a quarter for each child born.
3.3 Policy Shifts Due to Labor Shortages
By 1936, labor shortages led to a partial reversal of these policies:
- In 1939, a compulsory agricultural labor service was introduced for unmarried women under 25.
- By 1942, women aged 17-45 were required to register for work.
4. Economic Policies Towards Jews
4.1 Initial Caution (1933-1935)
Despite ideological antisemitism, initial economic policies towards Jews were cautious:
- A one-day nationwide boycott of Jewish businesses was organized on April 1, 1933, but more extensive actions were avoided due to concerns about economic impact.
- The regime recognized the significant contribution of Jews to the economy, particularly in professional fields and business ownership.
4.2 Gradual Marginalization (1935-1937)
As the economy improved, policies became more restrictive:
- Jewish businesses were gradually closed, and new ones were prevented from opening.
- However, some Jewish-owned businesses, like the Hertie Department stores, received loans to maintain economic stability.
4.3 Accelerated Exclusion (1937-1939)
With economic recovery firmly established, policies became more aggressive:
- The “Aryanization” of businesses intensified, with Jewish firms being “voluntarily” sold to Germans.
- Jews were denied access to raw materials, forcing many to relinquish their businesses.
- A decree in October 1936 required registration of all Jewish property, facilitating state takeover.
4.4 Kristallnacht and Aftermath
The events of Kristallnacht (November 9-10, 1938) marked a turning point:
- Widespread destruction of Jewish shops and synagogues.
- Jews were fined 1 billion Reichsmarks, ostensibly for damages, with the funds directed towards rearmament.
5. Conclusion
The economic policies of Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1939 were successful in dramatically reducing unemployment. However, this was achieved through a combination of public works, rearmament, and policies that fundamentally reshaped German society. The regime’s approach to women’s employment and the economic marginalization of Jews reflected its ideological goals, often at the expense of economic efficiency. These policies laid the groundwork for the more extreme measures that would follow during World War II.
Work Cited:
1. Evans, Richard J. The Third Reich in Power. Penguin Books, 2005.
2. Overy, Richard. The Nazi Economic Recovery 1932-1938. Cambridge University Press, 1996.
3. Tooze, Adam. The Wages of Destruction: The Making and Breaking of the Nazi Economy. Viking, 2007.
4. “Nazi Germany – Economy.” History Learning Site. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/nazi-germany/nazi-germany-economy/.
5.Mason, Tim. “The Economic and Social Policies of the Nazi Regime.” Central European History, vol. 15, no. 2, 1982, pp. 201-235.
