Here you will find descriptions of a range of terms, events, themes and institutions featured on the website.
workshy
Authorities were already using the term »workshy« prior to 1933. For the Nazis it was a derogatory term for the unemployed, whom they accused of not wanting to find work. These people received no assistance from the state; instead, the welfare authorities made them perform heavy manual labour and the police imprisoned many of them in concentration camps. In 1938 alone the police arrested more than 10,000 »workshy« people. The Nazis considered a »workshy« disposition to be hereditary and a danger to the »national community« (»Volksgemeinschaft«).
Authorities were already using the term »workshy« prior to 1933. For the Nazis it was a derogatory term for the unemployed, whom they accused of not wanting to find work. These people received no assistance from the state; instead, the welfare authorities made them perform heavy manual labour and the police imprisoned many of them in concentration camps. In 1938 alone the police arrested more than 10,000 »workshy« people. The Nazis considered a »workshy« disposition to be hereditary and a danger to the »national community« (»Volksgemeinschaft«).
Youth protection camp
| In the National Socialist state young people too were under surveillance. After the start of the war, the Nazis established two »youth protection camps« (»Jugendschutzlager«), which were similar to concentration camps. Moringen concentration camp was for males and Uckermark concentration camp was for females. Minors aged between 13 and 21 were sent to these camps for an indefinite period if the welfare authorities or police accused them of »wayward« or »morally degenerate« behaviour. Most were confined there as supposed »asocials«, but many were also detained for political motives. |
Youth Welfare Office
The Youth Welfare Office was a public welfare institution with the task of supporting children and teenagers in need, along with their families. Yet the Nazis specified who was to receive support. In order to access the necessary information about the families, the Youth Welfare Office worked closely with the welfare office and the National Socialist youth organisations. If children or teenagers came to the attention of the authorities, the Youth Welfare Office could apply for them to be placed in corrective education.