2. The Wartime Economy and the Work of Albert Speer Flashcards
What did Hitler issue in September 1939 to put Germany into a war economy?
Decree for the Conversion of the Whole German Economy onto a War Footing
When had Germany first started economically preparing for the war?
Since the launch of the Four Year Plan in 1936
When did the Germany economy reach a state of full mobilisation despite the Decree of 1939?
1942
Impact of the German economy taking 3 years to reach full mobilisation?
Germany’s armed forces suffered from shortages of weapons and equipment from 1939-41
By 1941 the supply problems began to hinder the German war efforts in the Mediterranean and Operation Barbarossa
What assumption did Hitler have about when the war would start and what was the impact of this?
Assumed the war wouldn’t start in 1939 as he believed Britain and France would accept that invasion of Poland just like they did with Austria and Czechoslovakia
Economic and military planning was based on this assumption. Outbreak of war came as a surprise and disrupted the Four Year Plan
How did the production of German armaments suffer from the unexpected outbreak of war?
Although the proportion of the labour force in armaments increased from 1939 to 1941, the supply of weapons grew very slowly
Who was in charge of the Four Year Plan and were they successful?
Goering
Lacked the technical and economic knowledge needed to do his job effectively
The war economy needed greater centralised coordination but Goering’s own personal interests and poor relations with military and bank leaders stopped this
Who became the Armaments Minister in 1942?
Albert Speer
What powers were given to Speer?
Speer was given full executive powers to establish a Central Planning Agency and was able to coordinate and control the whole production process without military interference and with support from private companies
What did rationalisation of the production of armaments involve under Speer? (4)
Central coordination of all allocation of labour, equipment and materials to armaments factories
Concentration of production in fewer factories and on a narrower range of products
Greater use of mass production techniques
More shift working to keep factories operating 24 hours a day
Impact of Speer’s innovations
Many describe his changes as bringing about a ‘production miracle’
Between 1941 and 1943, German aircraft production increased by 200% and tank production increased by 250%
Example of success of Speer’s changes
Production of Messerschmitt BF 109 (Germany’s main fighter aircraft) was concentrated in 3 factories rather than 7
Despite the reduction, production increased from 180 per month to 1000 per month
What did Britain carry out from 1942 to 1945?
Sustained bombing offensive against Germany’s industrial capacity and civilian morale
Economic impact of the allied bombing
Had an impact on production as supply lines were damaged, factories had to be dispersed and worker morale was affected
35% fewer tanks
31% fewer aircraft
42% fewer lorries
Change in work done by workers during war
Reduction of workers employed in consumer goods industries
Rise in workers employed in munitions
