What strategies did the Nazi's use to encourage civilian support?

One way that the Nazis were able to achieve support, was through domestic policies that increased employment and hence consolidated the people's faith in the ability of the Nazi regime to deliver a better way of life. Hitler's authorisation of the construction of autobahns created some 800,000 jobs. Their militarisation policy also inadvertently supported employment, with the army's expansion meaning that by 1939 1.4 million men were enlisted. More jobs meant higher incomes and hence a greater ability for the German's to access a higher standard of living. This instilled optimism amongst the people and hence encouraged support for Nazi policies. However, economic freedom and autonomy was not long lived due to the failure of the Nazi policy of Autarky. Germany didn't meet its goal of self sufficiency in four years and still relied heavily on imports for basic necessities. Hence, whilst employment went up, the economy did not excel to the full extent to which it could have due to failure in Nazi economic policy, which would have counteracted some of the positivity that arose from lower levels of unemployment.

Answered by Shanaka P. History tutor

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