‘The lives of the German people were improved by Hitler’s dictatorship in the 1930s.’ How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.

Introduction:
Hitler took over as Chancellor on 30 January 1933. This marked the start of the Third Reich.

Main Body:
In some ways, the German people benefitted from Hitler’s rule, especially in the economy. Unemployment, which was at its peak of 6 million in 1932, fell to less than a million by 1939. This was made possible due to massive government projects and rearmament, which gave employment to many Germans. Thus, one of the effects of the Great Depression was resolved. In addition, the lives of German workers were also improved through the German Labour Front, which provided them with cheap holidays, cruises and sporting activities. For big businesses, it was a boom for them, as they received huge government contracts resulting from rearmament. This meant that the coal, steel, chemical and transport industries all benefitted.
Socially, the German people developed a greater sense of pride. With Hitler’s constant violation of the hated Treaty of Versailles, the Germans could slowly feel proud of their country again. This was also a result of massive propaganda by the Nazis, who brainwashed the Germans to be very nationalistic since young. German achievements were exaggerated. The hosting of the 1936 Berlin Olympics was a major source of pride for many Germans. All these demonstrated how lives under Hitler’s dictatorship had improved.

However, Hitler’s dictatorship had many negative aspects as well. The economy appeared to be improving but in reality, it was unsustainable. For the workers, while wages had increased, they had to work longer hours. While unemployment dropped, this was at the expense of women and Jews. For small businesses, they hardly benefitted as they were not part of the Nazi plans in preparing Germany for war.
Socially, an atmosphere of fear developed through the use of SS, the secret police, informers and concentration camps. All opposition were removed. In schools and public places, pro-Nazi propaganda was in place. Censorship in the media meant that freedom of thought and expression was severely limited. Women and the minorities suffered official discrimination regularly. Women were forced to give up their jobs and stayed at home. The Jews suffered terribly from the introduction of the Nuremburg Laws. All these showed how lives under Hitler’s dictatorship had not improved.