One of the first acts of the Nazi government was to break the power of trade unions and organised labour. Unions were abolished in May 1933, assets were seized and their leaders imprisoned.

A new organisation, the German Labour Front was set up to manage the working class.

The main role was to educate and indoctrinate the workers to accept their role in the new Germany.

The Nazis controlled the working class, restricting wages, increasing working hours, and removing their ability to strike.

However, the working conditions improved, leisure activities were created, and holidays were promoted for workers.

The Strength through Joy movement was created to make use of the leisure hours that the German worker had.

They calculated that the average worker had 3740 hours of leisure a year.

The Nazis believed that this time must be used, in order to create motivated daily workers.

They planned Theatre and Concert outings, educational courses, sporting fixtures, and cheap subsidised holidays.

Many Germans had never been able to afford a holiday could now with the support of the State.

10 million Germans took a holiday which stimulated the German economy and tourism.

To reinforce the idea of the Volksgemeinschaft all passengers travelled in the same one-class accomodation.

In a quest to win the loyalty of the working class, the German Labour Front financed the development of a new car. The Volkswagon (People's Car) was a symbol of the new society, one without class barriers.

330 000 workers applied to buy the car by depositing 5 marks a week until the car was paid off at 750 marks.

Very few recieved the car as the war broke out, and the money went towards the war effort instead.

The revival of German agriculture was important to the Nazis and their goal of Autarky.

Farmers were the most noble members of society as they were considered the most racially pure.

Blood and Soil was an attempt to preserve the racial community the farmers had created.

The Hereditary Farm Law, ensured that farms could not be sold or broken up and had to be given to the descendants.

They created fixed production, distribution and food prices, and also provided subsidies and financial benefits to farmers and small businesses.

The creation of special festivals and rituals focused on the joys of rural life, which increased the dignity of farmers and rural workers.