Impact of war and defeat Flashcards
Describe the impact of total war on the Nazi economy during World War II.
The Nazi economy saw a significant mobilization of labor for the war effort, with 55% of the workforce involved by summer 1941. Civilian consumption decreased due to food and clothing rationing, and production was hampered by inefficiency and poor coordination. By 1941, armaments production was below required levels, with military expenditure doubling from 1939 to 1941.
Explain the role of women in the Nazi war economy.
Women were encouraged to join the workforce due to a shortage of labor caused by 4 million men being called up for military service. They were employed in arms factories to support the war effort.
How did Speer’s policies affect arms production in Nazi Germany?
Speer’s policies led to a 59% increase in total arms production, a 97% rise in ammunition production, and a 25% increase in tank production. By 1944, there was a threefold increase in war materials compared to 1942.
Define the term ‘total war’ in the context of Nazi Germany.
Total war refers to the complete mobilization of a nation’s resources and population towards the war effort, impacting all aspects of society, including the economy, workforce, and civilian life.
What was the significance of the Rationalisation Decree introduced in December 1941?
The Rationalisation Decree aimed to eliminate waste and inefficiency in the Nazi war economy, as armaments production was lower than that of Great Britain.
Describe the effects of bombing raids on German cities during World War II.
Bombing raids, which intensified by 1942, led to significant civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure. For example, the attack on Hamburg in 1943 resulted in 30,000 deaths, while the bombing of Dresden in 1945 killed up to 150,000 and destroyed 70% of properties.
How did the bombing campaigns impact the production capabilities of Nazi Germany?
The bombing campaigns forced the relocation of workers to construct anti-aircraft batteries and underground sites, which limited production capabilities. However, overall economic production figures were not significantly affected.
What measures were taken to address labor shortages in the Nazi war economy by Speer?
To address labor shortages, prisoners in concentration camps were used as workers, and skilled workers were no longer conscripted, allowing them to contribute to the war effort.
Explain the economic conditions in Nazi Germany by the end of 1941.
By the end of 1941, Nazi Germany was engaged in war with the USSR, Great Britain, and the USA, but armaments production was still lower than that of Great Britain, indicating ongoing challenges in the war economy.
What was the impact of the bombing on civilian life in Germany during the war?
The bombing led to mass evacuations from cities, significant civilian casualties, and the need for emergency accommodations as the government struggled to cope with the destruction and chaos.
Describe the impact of industrial destruction on communication during the war.
Industrial destruction led to a breakdown in communications, affecting the ability to coordinate military and civilian efforts.
Explain the role of morale among the German people during the war.
Morale was influenced by a united front against a common enemy, with some believing in Hitler’s vision of a 1000-year Reich.
How did the Gestapo influence the German population’s willingness to fight?
The Gestapo enforced compliance and fear, compelling people to continue fighting until May 1945.
Define the significance of the Nazi Youth and its decline in support.
The Nazi Youth lost support as many leaders were called to fight, and the focus on military affairs alienated its members.
What was the main aim of the Swing Youth?
The Swing Youth aimed to enjoy swing music in clubs, representing a form of small resistance against the Nazi regime.
Explain the activities of the Edelweiss Pirates.
The Edelweiss Pirates organized hikes and camping trips, engaged in physical confrontations with Hitler Youth, and attacked Nazi officials; members killed when they killed head of Cologne Gestapo.
Describe the actions of church officials like Bonhoeffer during the Nazi regime.
Church officials like Bonhoeffer opposed racial policies and were involved in plots to assassinate Hitler, leading to their arrest; Bonhoeffer arrested in Oct 1942.
How did military failings during the winter of 1942-43 affect opposition within the German army?
Military failings encouraged the growth of opposition within the army, leading to the formation of the Kreisau Circle, which sought to establish an alternative government acceptable to Western Allies.
What was Operation Valkyrie and what was its outcome?
Operation Valkyrie was a failed plot to assassinate Hitler involving General Ludwig and Colonel von Stauffenberg, resulting in the arrest and execution of many plotters.
Define the term ‘Final Solution’ as it relates to the Holocaust.
The Final Solution was the Nazi plan for the extermination of the Jewish people, agreed upon at the Wansee Conference in January 1942.
Explain the role of the SS Einsatzgruppen during the invasion of Russia in 1941.
The SS Einsatzgruppen followed the invading army to round up and murder approximately 700,000 Jewish people during 1941-42.
What measures were taken against Jewish people in September 1941?
In September 1941, Jewish people were required to wear yellow Stars of David as a means of identification and discrimination.
Describe the process of Jewish deportation to death camps during the Holocaust.
Jewish people were moved from ghettos to death camps, with significant deportations occurring in 1943 and 1944.
What were the outcomes of the Potsdam Conference regarding Poland?
At the Potsdam Conference, Poland gained land along the Oder-Neisse line, and Germans in Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia were repatriated.
