To What Extent Did Nazi Germany Achieve A Total War Economy

Question 1

What did a series of degrees, to avoid the same problems Germany had in WW1, in December 1939 outline?

Answer 1

A vast programs for war production

Question 2

What Doubled from 1939 to 1941 in Germany?

Answer 2

German Military Expenditure

Question 3

How much of the German labour force worked on war-related projects in 1941?

Answer 3

Around 55%

Question 4

What was the amount of planes produced in Germany in September 1939 and June 1941?

Answer 4

1939: 8,290
1941: 10,780

Question 5

How many more tanks did Germany have when invading the USSR in 1941 than it had after invading France in 1940?

Answer 5

800 more tanks, a poor production

Question 6

Why was there difficulties in production during the beginning of the war in Germany?

Answer 6

The lack of central control with numerous ministries like armaments, economics, labour and finance, often having different interests and demands

Question 7

Who were the groups originally responsible for armaments in Germany?

Answer 7

The Office of the Four Year Plan, the SS and the various branches of the armed forces

Question 8

Why did the armed forces failed to produce high levels of armaments production?

Answer 8

They wanted quality over quantity

Question 9

What shortage did Germany face going into the war?

Answer 9

A labour shortage

Question 10

How many people were employed in Germany in May 1939 and 1940?

Answer 10

May 1939: 24.5 million
1940: 20.5 million

Question 11

How did Germany fight a labour shortage during WW2?

Answer 11

Recruiting workers from southern and Central Europe and women

Question 12

Even as early as September 1939 how much of the German workforce did Women make?

Answer 12

37% of the labour force

Question 13

What was the percentage of GDP spent on the Military for Britain and Germany between 1937-1941?

Answer 13

1937: G:13% B:7%
1938: G:17% B:8%
1939: G:23% B:22%
1940: G:38% B:53%
1941: G:47% B:60%

Question 14

What was the results of rationing for everyday Germans?

Answer 14

2 out of 5 Germans ate more healthy than before the war though very monotonous

Question 15

How were large amounts of good bolstered early during the war in Germany?

Answer 15

Taken form conquered countries

Question 16

Why were food rations increased in Christmas 1942?

Answer 16

Because of the Russian campaign accustoming many to seeing injured soldiers in the streets in 1941 which had the potential till to damage morale

Question 17

What made total rationing in Germany in 1943?

Answer 17

The declaration of total war

Question 18

What did Hitler issue in December 1941 because of Germany’s low production rates?

Answer 18

The ‘Rationalisation Decree’

Question 19

Who was appointed Minister of Armaments in February 1942?

Answer 19

Albert Speer

Question 20

What did Speer establish in April 1942 to better co-ordinate armaments?

Answer 20

A Central Planning Board

Question 21

What was a number of polices that Speer used to increase production of armaments?

Answer 21

The Use of contraction camp prisoners as workers, employing women, ending conscription of skilled workers and eliminating things that didn’t contribute to war production

Question 22

What was the results on armaments in the first six months?

Answer 22

Tank production rose 25%, ammunition up 97% and total arms production by 59%

Question 23

What factors damaged Speer’s production?

Answer 23

The influxes of party Gauleiters at local level who could stop Speer’s plans, the SS exploited conquered lands for personal gain, conquered territories were plundered rather than exploited and allied bombing