6. germany- the impact of the war 1939-45 Flashcards
What was the initial morale of Germans when war was announced in 1939?
Morale was high as Germans had been prepared for war by the Nazi regime
Which countries did Germany successfully invade at the start of WWII?
Poland and France, as well as the majority of Europe
What did Hitler aim to achieve by invading the USSR in June 1941?
He wanted lebensraum (living space) and occupied the Baltic States
How did the initial bombing raids impact Germany?
They did not have too much of an impact initially
What were the casualty figures for Germans who served in the armed forces?
5 million wounded and 5 million killed, with 90% on the Eastern Front
What types of rationing were introduced in Germany during the war?
Rationing for clothing and food was introduced in 1939 and became stricter by 1942
What happened to working hours in Germany as the war progressed?
Working hours increased to over 50 hours per week
What was a significant change in the labor force due to the war?
Foreign labour had to be used as workers were conscripted into the army
Who directed the economy to prepare for total war in Germany?
Albert Speer
all Germany’s resources were directed to the war effort
What was the Volkssturm?
A Home Guard that all men not in the army had to join
What intensified the bombing of German cities in 1942?
The British and American air forces began to bomb German cities more heavily
How many people were killed during the bombing of Dresden in February 1945?
Between 35,000 and 150,000 people in just two days
How did the role of women change as the war progressed?
The number of women in work increased, especially in armaments factories
What was the age of conscription to the army decreased to during the war?
Sixteen
What was the Edelweiss Pirates?
An anti-Hitler Youth movement that escalated their activities during the war
What was the fate of the founders of the White Rose resistance group?
Hans and Sophie Scholl were executed in 1943
Who criticized the Nazi euthanasia policy?
Bishop Galen
What was the July Plot of 1944?
An assassination attempt on Hitler by Von Stauffenberg- he left a bomb in Hitler’s conference room
What was the outcome of the July Plot?
Hitler survived and the Nazis killed 5000 people in revenge
What escalated racial persecution towards Jewish people?
The escalation ultimately led to the Final Solution.
What were ghettos?
Ghettos were small areas of towns where Jewish people were gathered together in occupied countries. Conditions were terrible.
What happened after the invasion of the USSR in 1941?
The Nazis found themselves with 3 million Soviet Jews to control, leading to mass executions organized by the Einsatzgruppen (SS death squads)
What was discussed at the Wannsee Conference?
The ‘Final Solution’ to the ‘Jewish question’ was discussed in January 1942.
The systematic killing of Jewish people took place after this.
What were death camps used for?
Death camps, such as Auschwitz, were built to carry out the killing and cremation of mainly Jewish people, as well as other groups like Roma and gay people.
Was there any Jewish resistance during this time?
Yes, there was some Jewish resistance, such as Gad Beck who led resistance in Berlin, and uprisings in concentration and death camps.
Did non-Jewish people help Jewish people during the persecution?
Yes, some non-Jewish people and many Germans helped Jewish people by hiding them and assisting in their escape from German territory.
