To What Extent Did Nazi Germany Achieve A Total War Economy Flashcards
What did a series of degrees, to avoid the same problems Germany had in WW1, in December 1939 outline?
A vast programs for war production
What Doubled from 1939 to 1941 in Germany?
German Military Expenditure
How much of the German labour force worked on war-related projects in 1941?
Around 55%
What was the amount of planes produced in Germany in September 1939 and June 1941?
1939: 8,290
1941: 10,780
How many more tanks did Germany have when invading the USSR in 1941 than it had after invading France in 1940?
800 more tanks, a poor production
Why was there difficulties in production during the beginning of the war in Germany?
The lack of central control with numerous ministries like armaments, economics, labour and finance, often having different interests and demands
Who were the groups originally responsible for armaments in Germany?
The Office of the Four Year Plan, the SS and the various branches of the armed forces
Why did the armed forces failed to produce high levels of armaments production?
They wanted quality over quantity
What shortage did Germany face going into the war?
A labour shortage
How many people were employed in Germany in May 1939 and 1940?
May 1939: 24.5 million
1940: 20.5 million
How did Germany fight a labour shortage during WW2?
Recruiting workers from southern and Central Europe and women
Even as early as September 1939 how much of the German workforce did Women make?
37% of the labour force
What was the percentage of GDP spent on the Military for Britain and Germany between 1937-1941?
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%
What was the results of rationing for everyday Germans?
2 out of 5 Germans ate more healthy than before the war though very monotonous
How were large amounts of good bolstered early during the war in Germany?
Taken form conquered countries
Why were food rations increased in Christmas 1942?
Because of the Russian campaign accustoming many to seeing injured soldiers in the streets in 1941 which had the potential till to damage morale
What made total rationing in Germany in 1943?
The declaration of total war
What did Hitler issue in December 1941 because of Germany’s low production rates?
The ‘Rationalisation Decree’
Who was appointed Minister of Armaments in February 1942?
Albert Speer
What did Speer establish in April 1942 to better co-ordinate armaments?
A Central Planning Board
What was a number of polices that Speer used to increase production of armaments?
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
What was the results on armaments in the first six months?
Tank production rose 25%, ammunition up 97% and total arms production by 59%
What factors damaged Speer’s production?
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
