Question

explain reaction of ordinary people self and the policies of nazism

Answer 1

For ordinary people, life was good, and many Germans even today look back and remember the years before 1939 as happy years:

Nazi economic policies gave full employment (work programmes/ Strength through Joy), prosperity and financial security - many observers stated that there seemed to be no poverty in Germany,

the Strength through Joy programme gave some people fun and holidays.

the 'Beauty of Work' movement gave people pride in what they were doing.

law and order (few people locked their doors),

autobahns improved transport,

frequent ceremonies, rallies, colour and excitement,

Nazi propaganda gave people hope,

Nazi racial philosophy gave people self-belief

Trust in Adolf Hitler gave a sense of security (one German woman told the American reporter Nora Wall: 'He is my mother and my father. He keeps me safe from all harm.')



There were few drawbacks:

Wages fell, and strikers could be shot - the Nazis worked closely with the businessmen to make sure that the workforce were as controlled as possible.

Loss of personal freedoms (eg freedom of speech).

All culture had to be German - eg music had to be Beethoven or Wagner or German folk songs - or Nazi - eg all actors had to be members of the Nazi party/ only books by approved authors could be read.