When the Nazis came to power in 1933, Germany and the rest of the world were still suffering the effects of the Wall Street Crash and the Great Depression. When the American businessmen who had invested money into the German industries sought the return of it, Germany suffered immensely. Because these loans had to be repaid, shops closed to do so. Trade slumped and unemployment swelled and many were made homeless. Many people starved and, in desperation, looked towards the Nazis to bring them out of this desolation.

The Nazis reassured the German people by reducing unemployment, rearming the country and aiming to make Germany self-sufficient.

From 1934 to 1937 Dr Schacht was the Minister of the Economy in Germany and he reduced unemployment in number of ways. He introduced the National Labour Service, creating thousands of jobs for young men, aged 18-25. They completed various tasks, such as digging ditches and planting forests. These men lived together in a camp and wore uniforms, and

The National Labour Service soon organised public works to further reduce the rate of unemployment. New motorways (autobahns) were constructed, as were hospitals, schools, sports stadium and public buildings. However the greatest decrease in unemployment was brought about by rearmament.

The women’s role was seen in the home. They were supposed to be perfect wives and mothers. They were forced out of work to look after their homes and families. They were not recorded as unemployed. Both women and Jews who had been dismissed from their positions, left vacancies for the other unemployed people, reducing figures.

In 1933, 6 million Germans were still out of work, but by 1938, there were less than half a million.

From 1937 to 1939, a man called Herman Goering replaced Dr Schacht as Minister of the Economy. His main aim was to make Germany self –sufficient. He wanted Germany to produce its own food and raw materials without relying on other countries. This policy was called ‘Autarky’. He partly achieved this by developing many more raw materials e.g. coal, oil, iron and metals and by developi

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