Nazi Germany - Impact of War Flashcards
What is the War Economy
When all industries are focused on the war effort. Ambitious production targets are set by the government.
How many German factories in 1941 and workforce related to the war
47% - German factories
55% - Workforce
Explain shortages in Germany
The Nazis realised that they could not rely on imports and that their own agricultural production would be greatly reduced so rationing was introduced.
How did women work in the war
The Nazi leadership were split over the role of women. Speer wanted them to work in factories but Hitler wanted them to work at home and be mothers. `This meant that women wee never conscripted in to the factories like in Britain.
Who is Albert Speer
Appointed in 1942
Speer was Hitler’s personal architect and now took charge on improving the German war economy.
Speers plan was to give factories independence ‘industrial self-responsibility’ but at the same time ensured central control.
What were Speer’s gained policies
Focus factories on producing a single product
Employ more women in factories
Use concentration camp prisoners as workers
Exclude skilled workers from compulsory military service
Give some wartime opposition
July 1944 bomb plot
The Rosentrasse
The White Rose
Leaflets and Postcards
Passive resistance from German population
What happened on the July 1944 bomb plot
Lead by Clause Graf von Stauffenburg
Although agreed with Nazi policies at start, as the war progressed he saw the mass entreatment on the Jews
He became convinced that Germany was heading to disaster and that the only way to prevent this was to remove Hitler
Formed a group with other people who shared his views
20th July, he attended a meeting at Hitler’s East Prussian headquarters.
Placed bomb in case and slid next to Hitler, however a heavy table leg had shielded Hitler form the blast.
What was the opposition between Leaflets and Postcards
Created by the Hamplels, between 1940-1942 they had written over 200 postcards urging people to stop donating money to the Nazis and overthrow Hitler.
Nearly all of the 200 postcards were handed in due to fear the public had over such resistance. They were executed in 1943.
What was the Nazis first major defeat
Russians at the Battle of Stalingrad in 1943.
What happened on the 18th February 1943
Goebbles addressed a large public meeting in Berlin about the move to total war which was met with massive applause which was broadcasted on the radio.
Crowd carefully selected who were really loyal to the Nazis
Give some impacts the move to total war had on the German population
The Nazis finally tried to immobilise women in the war effort.
A total of 3 million women between 18-45 were called to work. Only 1 million actually toolkit up with some avoiding it by deliberately getting pregnant.
Anything that was not directly linked to helping the war effort was eliminated.
Professional sport ended, magazines closed and non-essential businesses were closed.
Shortages became even worse
1943, cloth rationing suspended as the production of civilian clothes ended.
Increase in Propaganda
Encouraged people to embrace the idea of total war. Goebbles speech shown in cinemas.
When did the British and American bombers intensify their attacks
1943
Allies bombed Hamburg in a concentrated series of days and nights. The air raids on the narrow streets and wooden buildings caused a firestorm that tore through the city. Half Hamburg destroyed and 40,000 civilians killed.
How many planes attacked Berlin and how many killed
750 planes
3758 killed
Half a million homeless
What was the effect on civilians when France was liberated
Native Germans poured back into their motherland increasing pressure on food and fuel.
0.5 million orded to be soldiers, many used to work in factories and were replaced by untrained workers.
The age limit was increased to 50
