German Home Front Flashcards
(7 cards)
What was the initial impact of the war on the lives of women and youth in Germany?
Little change; successful invasions of Poland and France meant life did not need to change
Initial years of the war saw minimal disruption due to military successes.
List key changes experienced by the German people during the early years of the war (1939-1942).
- Food shortages
- Rationing
- Evacuation of children to the countryside
- Bombing raids
Notable bombing raids included significant attacks on cities like Cologne.
What role did Speer play in organizing Germany for the war effort?
Speer was the munitions minister who wanted to employ women in factories, but Hitler opposed this
Hitler insisted that women’s roles should remain in the home.
What changes occurred after the Battle of Stalingrad (1942-43)?
Germany started to lose the war and changes were needed in the war effort
This marked a turning point in the war for Germany.
How did Goebbels react to the outcome of the Battle of Stalingrad?
He called for ‘total war’ which included the involvement of women and children in the war effort
This was a significant shift in Nazi policy regarding civilian roles.
What were some impacts of the war on youth in Germany during 1943-1945?
- Decline in enthusiasm for the Nazis
- Ban on smoking and drinking after 1940
- Curfews
- Youth collected charity for the Party
- Involvement in air defense work
- Some joined a Panzer division
- Many responded to calls to defend Berlin
Youth engagement varied from apathy to active participation in defense efforts.
How did the war affect women’s roles in German society?
- Goebbels’ ‘Total War’ campaign led to 1 million extra women working by 1944
- Some women got pregnant to avoid work
- Twice as many women were servants than factory workers
- Women had to rely on themselves with men at the front
- By 1945, 1 in 6 women in Berlin resorted to prostitution
This period saw a significant shift in traditional gender roles due to wartime needs.
