The impact of war and defeat on Germany Flashcards
What military tactic was used by Germany in WW2?
Blitzkrieg
What happened to German military expenditure in 1939 - 1941?
The expenditure doubled
Why was the increase in military expenditure not as impactful?
Armament production was low
How many planes increased in 1941 compared to 1939?
2000
How many more tanks were produced for the invasion of Russia on 22nd June 1941?
800
Who was appointed as minister of armaments in 1942?
Albert Speer
What was Albert Speers war policy?
Industrial self-responsibility
Name three features of Albert Speers industrial self-responsibility
People in concentration camps were put to work
Skilled workers were no longer conscripted
Unessential’s were stopped such as professional sport in 1943
What was an economic exploit that Speer did not use?
He could have exploited captured territories but he did not
When did bombings begin in Germany and when did they intensify?
Began in 1940 becoming more intense in 1942
Name an allied bombing campaign in 1943 and its impact on Germany
Hamburg which killed 30,000 people by creating a fire storm
What suggests that German moral was strong throughout the war?
People fought until surrender
Why was morale strong in Germany due to bombing?
Bombing united Germans against the allies
When did Germany surrender?
8 May 1945
What conference in February 1945 established that Germany would be split into four zones?
Yalta
Which conference was held in July 1945?
Potsdam
Who attended the Potsdam conference?
Stalin, Truman, Churchill and Atlee
What were the three main D’s agreed upon at the Potsdam conference?
Demilitarise
Democratise
De-Nazify
Who was in charge of the KPD which later became the SED in 1946 in East Germany?
Walter Ulbricht
How did the KPD become the main party in East Germany?
Merged with the SPD in 1946 becoming the SED and gradually removed their members and replaced them with communists
When had the SED officially abandoned democracy?
1948 by announcing a Marxist-Leninist style of rule
Name two issues which the western zone faced on a large scale?
Homelessness
Food shortages
When was Bizonia formed and why?
In 1946 Britain and America merged their zones as Britain could not financially support their zone
When did France join Bizonia forming Trizonia?
1949
What constitution was formed when Trizonia was created?
The Basic Law
Name a doctrine by Truman that caused tension between East and West
Truman Doctrine which promised American aid to countries against communism
Why is Berlin’s geography significant in 1949?
It was in the East of Germany and was surrounded by Soviet territory
When was Marshall aid issued?
1948
What did Marshall aid do?
pledged $13.3 billion to rebuild Europe
Why did West Germany change the currency to the Deutschmark?
In order to make investment sucessful
When was the Deutschmark introduced?
1948
