Government in wartime Flashcards
How did the Nazis prepare for war when they got into power?
There was and escalation of the drive to war and some social changes for example women had been urged to take on war work when they had been discouraged from working in the past.
What was the rise in SS numbers from 1939 to 1944?
SS numbers rose from 240,000 in 1939 to over a million in 1944.
What role were the SS instructed to play Hitler?
The SS ran Hitler’s “ racial policy “ of getting rid of non-German races from the Reich, through expulsions, isolation, forced labour and murder.
What did RVKs stand for?
Reich Defense Commissioners.
What did the RVKs do?
They ran all the home front activities in the local areas, including civil defense, rationing and the Volkssturm.
What was the Volksstrum?
The Nazi home guard, formed in October 1944 as a last ditch defense against invasion. Boys, old men, those seen as physically unfit for the army and even women and girls were recruited.
Who was the new high commander of the armed forces?
The new commander was Wilhelm Keitel.
When was the Ministerial council of defense set up?
30 August 1939.
What was the Ministerial council of defense set up to do?
It was suppose to co-ordinate domestic affairs to support the war effort. Hitler wasn’t in the council, however, it reported to him.
Who made up the ministerial council of defense?
It was chaired by Hermann Goering and its members were very important Nazi officials, for example, Frick, minister of the interior and Walther Funk, minister of the economy.
Did the council last for long?
No it didn’t, falling victim to Hitlers dislike for group meetings as a way of governing , the council was disbanded in November 1939.
Did any of the Council members stick together after the disbandment?
Yes, Frick, Funk and Keitel met infrequently as the “ Group of Three”
What does Lebensraum?
” Living room” - Land taken from other countries to provide Germany with the farmland and natural resources that the Germans needed.
What were the Reichsgau in charge of?
They were tasked with allocating the land of incoming Germans and of running it as part of Germany.
Who were the Reichsgau run by?
They were run by the Reichsstatthalter.
