22. The Wartime Economy and the Work of Speer (S6) Flashcards
Who was in charge of the 4 Year Plan launched in 1936?
Hermann Goering; he was a war hero during WW1.
What was Goering more interested in than the whole German economy?
His own business empire.
What shortages did the German economy suffer from in the first 2 years of war?
Weapon and equipment shortages.
Why was Hitler shocked at Britain and France in Sep 1939?
He didn’t anticipate invading Poland would cause them to declare war on him.
Who took over from Goering in 1942?
Albert Speer
Name 2 policies Speer introduced to help the German economy.
- Centralisation of command of the entire production industry
- Less factories and fewer choice in products
- 24 hour a day operated factories via shift work
How do people often describe what Speer achieved?
As a ‘production miracle’.
Give an example of Speer’s increase in war production.
- Aircraft increased by 200%
- Tanks increased by 250%
Why did production slow toward the end of the war?
The allied bombing campaign focused mainly on the Rhineland which had the most factories.
How was a shortage in labour fixed? Give 2 examples.
- By paying for foreign labour by occupied countries (mostly cheaper eastern Europeans)
- By making more and more women join the labour force
- By using slave labour from concentration camps
What percentage was the foreign labour force?
About a quarter of the labour force (7 million workers).
