The impact of WWII on Germany and its economy Flashcards
How did WWII affect women?
The Nazis had to change their policy and employ far more women to fill jobs in the workforce (e.g. in factories).
This meant women had to balance raising a family and working.
How was war greeted in Germany?
Unenthusiastically - like other populations, Germans remembered the misery of WWI
What was introduced in the first month of the war?
Food rationing
What was introduced in November 1939?
Clothes rationing
Despite rationing, why was it relatively easy to maintain German morale between 1939 and 1941?
The war was going spectacularly well for Germany
By the end of 1940, what land did Germany control?
Much of western Europe including: most of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway
What flowed into Germany from the captured territories?
Luxury items
What massive gamble did Hitler take in 1941?
Invading the Soviet Union
Why was the German invasion of the USSR somewhat of a surprise?
The Nazis had been allied with the Soviet since the Nazi-Soviet Pact in 1939?
Why was the German invasion of the USSR not really a surprise?
One of Hitler’s main aims was to destroy communism.
He also wanted to lebensraum (living space) and eastern Europe/the USSR was the obvious place for him to acquire it.
Why did the invasion of the USSR backfire?
- The Soviets fought back fiercely.
- The war became increasingly expensive and citizens at home had to make sacrifices
- Eventually the tide of the war turned
How did Churchill describe the role of the Russian troops during the Nazi invasion of the USSR?
Churchill said the Russians ‘tore the heart out of the German army’
Due to the invasion of the USSR, and the war starting to go badly, what did Germans have to do?
1) Cut back on heating
2) Work longer hours
What did Germans donate to the army during the invasion of the USSR?
1.5 million fur coats
From 1942 onwards, what happened to Hitler?
He became less and less visible as he focused on the detail of the war
Who was put in charge of Germany’s war economy?
Albert Speer
From 1942, what was shut down?
- All forms of entertainment (except cinemas - Goebbels needed these to show propaganda)
- the postal service
Who became increasingly important in the later years of the war?
The SS - they were basically a state within a state
Towards the end of the war, what did German people stop doing
- Attending Nazi rallies
- giving the ‘Heil Hitler’ salute
By 1945, what did the German people do to get food?
Scavenge from rubbish tips. Some even ate meat from dead horses
What flourished during the war?
The black market - but only for those who had money
