Soldiers of Labor: Labor Service in Nazi Germany and New Deal America, 1933-1945 (Publications of the German Historical Institute)

Originally published in 2005, Soldiers of Labor is a systematic comparison between the labor policies of the Nazi dictatorship and New Deal America. The main subject of the book is the Nazi Labor Service (Reichsarbeitsdienst), a public work scheme that provided work and education for young men. Here, the organizational setup, the educational dimension, and its practical work are extensively examined. Originally, the institution was an instrument in the fight against unemployment at the end of the Weimar Republic. After 1933, it became a Nazi propaganda tool that ultimately became involved in the Nazi's war of extermination. This study examines the similarities and differences, the mutual perceptions, and transfers between the Nazi Labor Service and its New Deal equivalent, the Civilian Conservation Corps. Patel uncovers stunning similarities between the two organizations, as well as President Roosevelt's irritating personal interest in the Nazi equivalent of his pet agency, the CCC. The Main Subject Of The Book Is The Reich Labor Service (reichsarbeitsdienst), A Public Works Project That Provided Work And Education For Young Men. Here, The Organizational Setup, The Educational Dimension, And Its Practical Work Are Extensively Examined. Originally, The Institution Was An Instrument In The Fight Against Unemployment At The End Of The Weimar Republic. After 1933, It Became A Nazi Propaganda Tool That Ultimately Became Involved In The Nazi War Of Extermination. This Study Examines The Similarities And Differences, Mutual Perceptions, And Transfers Between The Reich Labor Service And Its New Deal Equivalent, The Civilian Conservation Corps. [the Author] Uncovers Stunning Similarities Between The Two Organizations, As Well As President Roosevelt's Personal Irritation With The Nazi Equivalent Of His Pet Agency, The Ccc--jacket. A Panacea For The Great Depression? Labor Service Ideas And Their Implementation Prior To 1933 -- Precursors To The Labor Services -- The Situation Of Young People In The Great Depression -- The Precursor In Germany: The Fad From 1931 To 1933 And The Involvement Of The Nsdap -- Service To The Community: The Organization Of The Labor Services -- False Start Into The Third Reich: The Organization Of The German Labor Service At The Beginning Of The National Socialist Regime -- From Consolidation To The War-time Deployment Of The Rad -- Between Ideology And Economics: The Admissions Criteria Of The German Labor Service -- The Organization Of The Civilian Conservation Corps -- Interim Conclusion -- Citizens, Volksgenossen, And Soldiers: Education In The Labor Services -- The Education Concept Of The German Labor Service -- School Of Manhood Between Prescription And Practice -- The School Of The Nation: Political Indoctrination And Organized Recreation -- Education In The Civilian Conservation Corps -- Interim Conclusion -- In The Grandeurs Of Nature: The Work Of The Labor Services -- Work Planning And Areas Of Work In The German Labor Service -- Glorification And Pragmatic Compromise: The Concept And Practice Of Work In The German Labor Service -- The Labor Service At Work: New Challenges In The Large-scale Deployments Beginning In 1937 -- Work In The Civilian Conservation Corps -- Interim Conclusion. Kiran Klaus Patel ; Translated By Thomas Dunlap. First Published As Soldaten Der Arbeit--t.p. Verso. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 415-438) And Index. Contents 7 List of Charts and Illustrations 9 Preface 11 Introduction 15 1 A Panacea for the Great Depression? Labor Service Ideas and Their Implementation Prior to 1933 36 2 Service to the Community: The Organization of the Labor Services 78 3 “Citizens,” Volksgenossen, and Soldiers: Education in the Labor Services 204 4 In “The Grandeurs of Nature”: The Work of the Labor Services 306 Concluding Reflections 409 Abbreviations 425 Sources and Bibliography 429 Index 453 Originally published in 2005, this is a systematic comparison between the labor policies of the Nazi dictatorship and New Deal America. Patel uncovers stunning similarities between the two organizations, as well as President Roosevelt's irritating personal interest in the Nazi equivalent of his pet agency, the CCC.