The Secrets to the Nazi Economic Success

 The Nazi rule is undoubtedly one of the most brutal governments to ever surface the world. However the reason for their popularity and success was due to Hitler's ability to act on his political promises, following an unsuccessful decade under the failing eyes of the Weimar Republic. Hitler seized the opportunity taking the German Workers Party from a minor political group to the feared Nazi in under 15 years.

The Weimar Republic were never popular following the Treat of Versailles, and hyperinflation occurring simply 4 years after it's formation didn't help the hostility. Prices shot up at a ridiculous rate, meaning people on fixed incomes and pensions were badly hit. A perfect opportunity for the National Socialists to stir up a rebellion amongst the working class. Although the Munich Putsch was crushed, and hyperinflation was followed by 5 years of prosperity, it was clear from the beginning that the government was destined for failure.

The main problems of the Weimar Republic were the standard of living and the unemployment rate, which were raised by the Great Depression which badly affected Germany – as they found themselves owing the USA in particular a lot of money for war reparations. Although Germany wasn't the only European country to suffer, their economy was in a particularly poor state, giving Hitler the opportunity he needed to take control.

Hitler's main aims for Germany were set straight in Mein Kampf, a prosperous Germany with plenty of Lebensraum, alongside a fully Aryan race. This coincided with the extermination of Jews, the homeless, Gypsies, women, homosexuals and disabled people. Not only were they exterminated, sent to concentration camps or arrested – but the Jews also lost German citizenship in the Nuremberg Laws of 1935. That shows how the number was easily manipulated by the Nazis, to show both the world and their own people how effective their methods were for unemployment. Of course that was not all they did. They created jobs for unemployed men planting trees, creating new travel routes and farm work plus those who were deemed 'work shy' (refused work) were simply sent to concentration camps. And to combat the amount of young people without a job, well they reintroduced conscription – which of course broke Versailles however all of the major powers were wary of the rise of the Soviet Union, whilst also believing they were treated too harshly (apart from France). Germany's unemployment fell from 6 million to around 300,000 in 6 years – although it is quite clear the statistics released do not show the full picture.

Mein Kampf - Written by Hitler in prison
setting forth his Nazi ideologies

A major victory for Germany's economy was the Saar plebiscite in 1935 which was the first territorial gain of the Nazis and completely legal. The hope for the French was that as a neutral zone for 15 years, the locals opinion would sway away from Germany – particularly with the state of the economy. However a majority of the population were still German and a staggering 90.8% of the votes were to rejoin their homeland. This was an extremely important victory for Nazi Germany, as the Saar contained many coal mines allowing the Germans to once again prosper in a trade which had struggled to break through during the rule of the Weimar Republic.

Hjalmar Schacht was a well renown economist
and Reich Minister of Economics between 1934-7.

One of the reasons the Nazis were so effective all round is due to their unbelievably skilled professionals – and one of them was Dr Hjalmar Schacht – world renown economist. He devised a 'neuer plan' for the Nazis which could put Germany in a position of power once again. This involved a lot of industrial changes, including limiting imports – presumably to either prevent inflation, keep international spending down or to keep goods German fitting Hitler's patriotic philosophy. Despite losing his job over a dispute with Hitler over the readiness of the military (and claiming he was sent to a concentration camp in the Nuremberg Trials) – he set the stage for Göring's 'four year plan' which simply just added military and agricultural policies to what he'd already written, as well as more refineries, aluminium plants and factories also being created.

The Nazi economy was undeniably better than the previous governments, and allowed them to threaten the worlds major powers after just 6 years. Had they listened to Schacht, kept producing goods and developed even further, then who knows there could have been a different outcome to the war. Nonetheless they made the best out of a bad situation, and delivered on their promise to the Germans who weren't affected by their manifesto of ethnic cleansing.

How Tostig Godwinson Influenced William The Conqueror's Victory in The Battle of Hastings

Tostig Godwinson – third son of Godwin – was thought of as a brutal tyrant in Northumbria who abused his power, so his banishment from the country by Edward the Confessor was not unexpected. Yet this wasn't the first time King Edward had expelled him from the country. Following the Godwins inability to deal with a fight between Edward's Norman visitors and locals to Dover. However the Godwins managed to force their way back into the country, and merely four years after their expulsion Tostig was appointed as Earl of Northumbria – which was no surprise as the King seemed to look favourably towards Tostig throughout his reign.

Tostig's main problem was that when put in a position of power – he completely abused it – causing mayhem for his subjects. His reign of terror in the North included raising taxes, implementing new laws with harsh punishments, as well as involvement with the murders of leading families in Northumbria who potentially rivalled him. Unfortunately for him – like most tyrants – the discontent amongst his people led to his overthrowing thanks to the thegns of York murdering Tostig's assistants and outlawing him on 3 October 1065.

The man sent to try and fix the broken relationship between Tostig and the people of Northumbria was his older brother – Harold Godwinson (later King Harold II). However he could not find a compromise with the rebels which involved reinstating Tostig. Therefore – with the fear of a Norman invasion and a potential civil war at the back of his mind – Harold advised that the rebels demands should be met, meaning Tostig was to be banished from Northumbria. Of course he felt betrayed by his brother more than anyone – the King reluctantly accepted the disposition but Harold was the one who pushed for it. Regardless of how Harold felt about the situation, Tostig felt as though he had been stabbed in the back and soon after he left the country with the remaining of his loyal men and family and set course for Flanders where they stayed with his brother-in-law Count Baldwin V whilst he plotted his revenge.

Whether or not the events of October 1065 were the main reason for Harold's downfall at Hastings is fairly disputable. Edward the Confessor died around two months after Tostig's dismissal, and had they gone the other way the country would either have been wrecked by civil war or still fighting each other. Either way it would have left England in a weak position on January the 4^th, when Edward broke his fifteen year promise to William the Conqueror and proclaimed Harold the next king of England.

Painting of The Battle Of Stamford
Bridge by Peter Nicolai

So it can be argued that perhaps Harold's decision prolonged a Norman invasion. It was clearly inevitable – the only way to avoid it was by naming William as the new King of England. It is arguable that Harold could have lied in order to fulfil his fathers (and personal) wishes of the Godwins finally obtaining the English throne, however he had sworn his support to William just two years before following the incident at Ponthieu. However this broken promise along with a seemingly broken promise from Edward the Confessor meant Harold new that William was coming.

Duke William and Tostig Godwinson – both full of hatred for Harold. It seemed written in the stars that shortly after Harold's coronation Tostig went to Normandy to offer aid in the invasion of England. But of course William wasn't the only ruler who believed the throne belonged to them. Harald Hadrada of Norway was the cousin of Edward's predecessor Cnut the Great and was also preparing his army for a Viking invasion of England. It clearly wasn't going to be an easy first year as King for Harold, particularly with his brothers impatience with William, leading to an invasion of the North easily swept away by Harold. However Tostig still had a fleet of men given to him by the Count of Flanders. With them he could offer Harald support for his invasion of the north...

Harold's focus was completely on Duke William in September 1066. It's arguable that his lack of preparation for an invasion by Cnut's relatives is a highly important reason for his downfall. Hindsight is a funny thing, and something which probably haunted Harold as he marched around 15,000 of his men from London to Yorkshire (around 184 miles) in merely 4 days. Harald's men were vastly outnumbered – by roughly 6,000 men. It was shown too, as they were absolutely crushed by the Kings army losing two thirds of their men along with leaders Tostig and Harald. Despite a morale boosting victory for the Englishmen, around 5,000 of their men had perished in the bloody battle and they suddenly found themselves horribly out of position.

The Bayeux Tapestry showing the arrow
which hit Harold's eye - arguably killing
the King.

It is highly likely that when William was informed of Hardrada's invasion of England that he waited for Harold's army to travel North before launching his invasion. There was only nineteen days between Harold's victory at Stamford Bridge and death at Hastings, but what cannot be argued is that the Viking invasion of the north left Harold's army overstretched and unprepared for the Norman invasion. It is estimated that William had 10,000 men in comparison to 7,000 for Harold – The men who battled at Stamford Bridge were resting in London during the Battle of Hastings. So it is irrefutable that the English stood a better chance without having to deal with Harald.

Tostig's desire for revenge managed to aid both of Harold's rivals for the monarchy, along with Harold losing a valuable ally. He became a niggling itch which just simply won't go away, and his involvement with Harald Hardrada simply opened the doors for William and left the door wide open for the English crown. As to whether the outcome would have been different without Tostig as a rival – it's impossible to tell – but it is undeniable he was an important factor.