To what extent did the German people benefit from Nazi rule in the 1930s?

German growth under the Nazis

People were encouraged to work be rewards.
All men aged between 18 and 25 could be recruited into the National Labour Service and given jobs.
Hitler started a huge public work programme, which gave jobs to 6 million unemployed. From 1933, huge motorways were started, and the Nazis had big plans for many public buildings, including the stadium which would hold the 1936 Olympics.
Instead of Trade Unions, workers joined the labour Front, where they wouldn't be allowed to go on strike, but had higher wages than before.
The Nazis introduced 'Strength through Joy' idea - good workers were awarded prizes, like holidays and cars.
Output increased in Germany and unemployment was almost ended completely.
The Nazis introduced the Volkswagen (the people's car) as an ambition to aim for.
Another way of creating work was to build up the armed forces.

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Hitler began to build up Germany's armed forces because: he wanted to reduce unemployment, he promised to make Germany strong again and he wanted to challenge the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
Rearmament began in secret as it would have caused alarm in other countries. In 1936, he introduced conscription to the army.
Britain sympathised with the German rearmament as they thought the limitations put on by the Treaty of Versailles were too tight. Britain also made a naval agreement with Hitler.
Rearmament helped to fulfill Hitler's foreign policy aims because it allowed Germany to increase its navy to up to 35% of the size of the British navy.

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