21 - The impact of war on German Society Flashcards
What rationing measures were taken?
August 1939 - food rationing system issued before the war had begun, permits required to buy clothes but not rationed yet
Nov 1939 - following previous regulations people had panicked and clothes now rationed
Why was civilian morale considered to be important for Nazi officials?
During WW1, morale had been low due to food shortages and increased weariness in 1917 and 1918. Nazis did not want to repeat the Kaiser’s mistakes
How was food rations allocated?
Age, occupation, race
- those in manual labour would receive more than sedentary occupations
- pregnant, sick and nursing mothers received more
- Jews allocated very little
What were the standard ration allowances in August 1939?
- 500g of meat a week
- 1 egg a week
- 250g of sugar a week
- 62.5g of cheese a week
What items sometimes caused discontent when rationed?
1939-41:
coal, shoes, soap, washing powder
When did rations begin to get cut?
After the invasion of the soviet union in June 1941
- meat cut to 400g then cut again
- by the end of the war, many Germans became malnourished
- farmers experienced shortages of feed reducing production
What were the phases of war?
1 - Blitzkrieg (lightning war, method to quickly end war)
2 - the spreading of war
3 - the turning of the tide
4 - total war
What war events happened September 1939 - June 1941?
- Poland defeated in the east, followed by quick victories in Europe
- France June 1940
- Norway and Sweden April 1940
- Netherlands May 1940
What impact did September 1939 - June 1941 have on morale?
- propaganda not always effective in lifting mood
- Jan 1940 - June 1941 Hitler made 9 major speeches
- propaganda made people believe the war would be over soon
What war events happened June 1941 - December 1941?
- USSR invaded in June and occupied vast areas of territory
- Red Army launched a counter attack on Germany halting progress
- Germany declared war on the USSR in December
What impact did June 1941 - December 1941 have on morale?
- SD reports suggested that the people felt the war would go on for ages
- letters from the front lines shared the lack of success in Russia
- Jewish conspiracy to destroy the Aryan race and Third Reich was spread to provide a scapegoat
What war events happened January 1942 - January 1943?
- German losses in the USSR and harsh winter conditions
- March 1942, RAF launched major bombing campaign
What impact did January 1942 - January 1943 have on morale?
- casualty figures from the front awoke Germany to the military disarray
- SD report that ‘faith in the Fuhrer is unshakeable’, but still scepticism regarding propaganda
- news to defeat shocked the public due to the well built up propaganda, developed criticism
- undoubtedly a well of patriotism and willingness to endure hardship
What war events happened February 1943 - May 1945?
- Goebbels declares total war in February 1943
- Britain and America attempt to cripple war effort through relentless bomb dropping
- D - Day landings in Normandy June 1944 opened up a second front
- by early 1945 allies had landed in Germany
- Berlin captured by the Soviets in April 1945 and Germany declares defeat 8th May 1945
What impact did February 1943 - May 1945 have on morale?
- Goebbels total war speech appeared to strike a chord with people, people criticised that these were being brought in too late
- Hitler myth began to decline as he was seen less frequently in public
- Goebbels spoke of plans of retaliation through V1 and V2 in 44-45 which boosted morale but these weapons did not help
- SD reports from August 1944 ‘most compatriots, even those whose belief has hitherto been unshakeable, have lost all faith in the Fuhrer’