Work and life in Nazi Germany
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can evaluate the changes that took place to German workers' lives under the Nazis.
Key learning points
- Nazi policies on work and life aimed to forge a loyal ‘people’s community’ by controlling and rewarding workers.
- The Nazis replaced unions with the Labour Front to control workers once loyal to the KPD or SPD.
- Three worker organisations controlled labour and offered benefits, though some gains were limited or uneven.
- Living standards varied, some groups gained, while real wages dropped and hours worked increased.
- Nazi economic policies affected big businesses, small businesses and farmers in different ways.
Keywords
Labour - work, especially physical or manual work done in return for wages
Trade unions - organisations that represent workers, protect their rights, and negotiate pay and working conditions with employers
German Labour Front (DAF) - the Nazi replacement for trade unions; it controlled workers with rewards and limited rights
Strength Through Joy (KdF) - a part of the Labour Front that aimed to improve workers’ free time through cheap holidays, events, and activities
Beauty of Labour (SdA) - a part of the Labour Front that promoted better workplace conditions, such as cleanliness and facilities
Common misconception
Everyone benefited from Nazi economic policies.
Reinforce that benefits were selective, often dependent on loyalty, and many gains were cancelled out by longer hours and lost freedoms.
Teacher tip
Prop starter: Pass around a toy car or image of the Volkswagen Beetle. Ask: ‘What does this symbolise in Nazi Germany?’ Use it to introduce the 'people’s car' scheme and link it to promises vs. reality.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.The Great had left over six million Germans unemployed when Hitler came to power in 1933.
Q2.What was the main purpose of the Reich Labour Service (RAD)?
Q3.Why did the Nazis build autobahns even though most Germans did not own cars?
Q4.What major military-related policy did Hitler reintroduce in 1935 to reduce unemployment and prepare for war?
Q5.The Nazis created ' unemployment' by excluding groups like women and Jewish people from official statistics.
Q6.How did the Nazis create manipulated unemployment statistics?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why did Hitler ban trade unions and left-wing parties in 1933?
Q2.The building of the gave thousands of Germans employment during the Nazi public works schemes.
Q3.What was one way the German Labour Front (DAF) restricted workers’ rights in Nazi Germany?
Q4.Which of the following were features of Strength Through Joy (KdF)?
Q5.Why did no worker ever receive a Volkswagen car from the KdF scheme?
Q6.Physical or manual work done in return for wages is referred to as .
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Work and life in Nazi Germany, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Work and life in Nazi Germany, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Germany 1890–1945, Democracy and dictatorship unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.