The Impact Of War 1939-45 Flashcards
(57 cards)
Impact of rationing?
Shortages and inadequacies of the rationing system in ww1 one of main causes of war weariness in 1917 and 1918. Nazi regime determined not to make same mistakes.
August 1939 decrees establishing a food rationing system were issued before war had began. Clothing not initially included, led to panic buying before the regulations took effect which led to inclusion of clothing in the rationing system.
Allocation of food rations based on age, occupation and race. Those employed in manual got more. Jews got less. Special allocations for pregnant women, nursing mothers and the sick. These allocations didn’t change for first 2 years of war as Nazis reluctant to make significant reduction at start of war out of fear of provoking anti war feeling.
Regime able to exploit newly occupied countries for food supplies and imports from USSR from Nazi-Soviet pact.
No serious shortages of food 1939-41. Shortages of coal, shoes, soap and washing powder however did cause some discontent.
Changes to rationing after invasion of USSR?
Meat cut from 500g to 400g per person per week then cut again. By end of war meat couldn’t be eaten every day and other goods in very short supply.
By end of war, food supplies had become precarious and unpredictable and many Germans were malnourished
In the countryside farmers had access to food they could grow themselves but experienced shortages of animal feed, fuel and replacement tools. Limiting their ability to produce food.
Why was monitoring public mood important for the Nazis?
Maintaining public morale high priority for the regime. Goebbels had developed highly sophisticated propaganda system, which controlled the flow of information.
The regime also used its secret police system in the SD and Gestapo to monitor efficacy of propaganda. The SD reports provide a valuable source of information for historians about German morale at diff stages of the war.
Phase 1: Blitzkrieg, Sept 1939-june 1941?
After defeating Poland, German forces achieved series of quick victories against various European countries
Public mood: volatile and propaganda wasn’t always effective in boosting morale. Quick and relatively easy victories in the early stages of war were cause for celebration. Edited newsreels showed German forces sweeping aside inferior opposition.
Hitler presented as the military genius responsible for these victories and his speeches on radio vital for boosting morale.
Jan 1940- June 1941 Hitler made 9 major speeches.
At this stage, propaganda led people to believe the war would soon be over. When defeat of France June 1940 didn’t bring immediate peace, Britain was blamed for prolonging the war.
Phase 2: the spreading of war June to December 1941?
Events: Germany invaded USSR in June 1941 and occupied vast areas of territory but in December 1941 the Red Army launched a counter attack, halting Germany’s advance.
Germany declared war on USA Dec 1941. The hope of another short victorious war was over. Nazi Germany now faced war with grand alliance of USSR, USA and GB
Public mood: invasion of USSR presented as crusade against ‘Jewish bolshevism’ and success of German army in forcing red army to retreat led to feeling of optimism.
However, the SD reported people’s gear the war would go on for years. Although propaganda downplayed extent of Soviet success, letters home from soldiers talking of harsh winters and endless supply of soviets undermined this.
Other scapegoats were used. Behind grand alliance, a international Jewish conspiracy to destroy the third reich and the aryan race. Marked increase in antisemitic propaganda.
Phase 3: the turning of the tide Jan 1942 - Jan 1943?
Events: Germany losses in the USSR started to mount in the harsh winter conditions.
Public mood: rising casualties and letters from soldiers gradually awakened civilians to war they were involved in.
This disillusionment deepened by radio appeal by Goebbels for the collection of winter clothing for soldiers on eastern front.
The defeat at Stalingrad major turning point in war. News of the defeat huge shock to public morale because Goebbels had built unrealistic expectations of Nazi victory.
War weariness became more evident criticism of propaganda increased. Hitler myth lost potency. On other hand deep well of patriotism and willingness to endure hardship.
Phase 4: ‘Total War’ and defeat of Germany?
Events: Feb 1943 Goebbels declared Germany engaged in ‘Total War’
GB and USA tried to break German War effort through unrelenting bombing of German cities.
D-Day landings June 1944 opened up a 2nd front in western Europe and by early 1945 the allies in Germany itself.
Berlin captured by Soviets April 1945 and Germany surrendered in May.
Public mood: By early 1943 became clear Germany in struggle for survival. Goebbels made important speech at sports palace 1943 calling for nation to engage in total war.
Aftermath of defeat at Stalingrad crucial moment for Nazi regime. Although attempts made to shift blame on commanders, Hitler could no longer be portrayed as military genius.
Hitler myth declined as Hitler made less frequent public appearances.
Spring 1944, morale had declined even further. News of almost continuous German retreat, failure of U-boat campaign, and allied bombing led to downbeat mood among the population. Made worse by landings in Normandy 1944.
Use of V1 and V2 missiles in 1944-45 temporarily raised spirits.
When was new phase in the war in the air and what happened?
Began at end of March 1942 when RAF carried out major bombing raid on city of Lübeck.
This was the start of the allied mass bombing campaign in which the RAF attacked German cities by night and USAAF by day. Often with 1000 aircraft at a time.
Describe situation in 1943?
1943 bombing campaign reached an even greater intensity with 43 German cities being attacked march to July. Hamburg bombed 7 times July 25th to August 3rd.
Official reports of impact of bombing on morale?
While detailing the horrific death and destruction, spoke of the resilience of the civilian population and their continuing support for the regime.
SD report on the impact of Lubeck raid in 1942 noted ‘the population of Lubeck showed a really remarkable composure, despite the extreme destruction and loss of life.
What did the regime class as ‘defeatist’ and why did it cause regime concern?
As morale fell, regime took increasingly repressive approach with those who expressed ‘defeatist’ remarks.
This meant any remark that was critical of leadership or showed lack of faith in Germany’s ability to win the war.
How did Joey Goebbels try to keep morale high?
Goebbels attempted to keep morale high in the face of air raids with talk of retaliation using secret weapons that were in development.
Summarise the situation at end of war?
Last months of war brought unrelenting misery for Germans.
Millions of Germans living in Poland, East Prussia and Czechoslovakia were driven out by hostile locals and forced trek west.
As soviet forces entered Germany jan 1945 3.5 million Germans fled their homes to escape fighting. Got no help from army as they were also retreating
Responsibility for the evacuations rested with local Gauleiters, many who delayed order until very last minute.
Meant people forced to walk hundreds of miles facing cold, hunger , disease and attacks by allies. Caused 500,000 to 1 million deaths.
Survivors that reached West Germany faced cities devastated by bombing and quarter of civilian population homeless. Transport ceased to function, electricity and gas supplies cut. Food supplies low and epidemics spread.
Civilian morale collapsed
Impact of war on elites?
Among the elites diverse views regarding Nazi regime and had various reasons for opposing it.
Some thought moral conviction that regime was evil, others were patriots who believed Hitler was leading Germany to destruction.
Some were Democrats while others were traditional aristocracratic conservatives who wanted return to authoritarian non nazi govt.
Mant of those who opposed Nazism believed in personal freedom and individual responsibility. For some such as aristocratic Helmut von Moltke, the dismal treatment of others when they lived comfortable lives was disturbing.
Impact of war on workers?
3 Sept 1939 ‘Decree on the conversion of the whole German Economy onto a War Footing’ imposed wage reductions and a ban on bonuses for overtime and night shifts.
This caused discontent and increase in absenteeism.
Oct 1939 the regime relented, wage levels were restored to pre-war levels and bonuses reintroduced, but wage rates weren’t allowed to increase.
Total War measures impacted workers in 1943 and 44. Aug 1944, a ban on holidays imposed, working week increased to 60 hours, and overtime payments abolished.
This increased absenteeism but employers had disciplinary measures at their disposal. Workers could have their reserved status removed and be conscripted to the eastern front. Employers could also allocate extra food rations to those with good attendance and fine those who had bad attendance.
The regime also had at it’s disposal the DAF factory cell system in which workers divided into groups under loyal nazi party members who was responsible for good worker attendance. Many plants switched from hourly pay to piecework system.
Impact of war on youth?
Membership of Hitler Youth and BDM made compulsory 1939.
Transition to total war had impact on young. Conscription age 1940 was 19 by 1943 it was 17.
1943 16 and 17 year old schoolboys conscripted as luftwaffe and naval auxiliaries. Whole school classes were conscripted.
Young people increasingly militarised in final stages of war age of Conscription decreased to 16 in 1945.
Conscription into the Volkssturm also introduced Sept 1944. For 18-60 year olds not fit for active service, they dug anti tank ditches and and trained to use anti tank weapons. By end war 12 year old conscripted into volkssturm.
In 1943 a special Hitler Youth division of the Waffen SS set up for 16-18. Sent to France 1944.
Impact of war on women?
Bore the brunt of hardship on home front. As housewives women had to queue for supplies when shortages occurred. As mothers had to shoulder task of childcare as husband fought in the army.
As workers women played increasingly vital role in the economy. May 1939 as a result of 4 year plan number of employed women increased. There was 6.4 million married women in employment and women made up 37.4 % of the industrial labour force.
Tension between nazi ideology and needs of war economy. In 1940 Hitler advised more women workers needed. He refused on grounds that women should be devoted to having and caring for kids. Regime also gave benefits to families of conscripted soldiers. 1939 to 41 number of women workers declined.
June 1941 Goring issued decree that all female workers in receipt of family allowance and had given up employment but had no kids should be forced to.have kids or lose the allowance. Since those who hadn’t been employed were overwhelmingly middle class the Decree stirred up class resentment.
Defeat at Stalingrad 1943 meant that total mobilisation of the labour force became essential. A decree issued same year making all 17-45 females register for work appeared Hitler had abandoned his ideological objections.
Nov 1943, Hitler was asked.to approve upper age limit to 50. He refused but by summer 1944 situation so bad he agreed. By 1945, 60% of labour force were women.
Women also increasingly assigned to auxiliary roles in the armed forces despite Hitler’s misgivings. Jan 1945 = 470,000 female auxiliaries
Militarisation of women was taken further in final stages of war when women’s battalions of the army were established and women were trained for combat roles.
Economic problems faced by Germany whilst at war?
Germany and been preparing for war since launch of 4 year plan in 1936.
Sept 1939 Hitler issued Decree for the conversion of the whole German Economy onto a War Footing.
Despite this German economy did not reach state of full mobilisation until 1942. The result was that in years 1939-41 the armed forces suffered from shortages of weapons and equipment.
By 1941 as forces became stretched with war in Mediterranean and launch of operation barbarossa these supply issues began to hinder the German War effort.
How did war starting early cause supply issues?
Hitler fully expected GB and Franfe to accept German invasion of Poland just as they had conceded to his demands for Austria and Czechoslovakia
Believed war would start 1941 when operation barbarossa launched.
Economic and military planning and been based on these assumptions with the luftwaffe expansion due to be completed 1942 and navy build up 1944-45. The 4 year plan concentrated in the early stages on building up Germany’s production potential through increasing iron and steel production.
Outbreak of war Sept 1939 came as surprise and disrupted the plans.
Why did structural weaknesses of German armament production cause supply problems?
Different branches of armed forces demanded highly specialised equipment of very high quality.
Production of many diff types of weapons was expensive and required highly skilled labour.
Even though percentage of labour force in armament production increased from 21 to 55% Sept 1939 to 1941 the supply of weapons grew very slowly.
Mass production of standardised weapons would’ve been cheaper and produced amount of weapons needed. Most german firms not set up this way. Military designed and ordered many versions of the same weapon making standardisation impossible.
How did political problems cause supply problems?
Goring was in charge of 4 year plan. Lacked economic knowledge to do the job. Had very poor relationship with military leaders and leaders of large companies and banks and was busy building his own economic empire. In 1939 and 40 his failings masked by Wehrmacht success.
By 1941 weaknesses of 4 year plan and Goring’s management increasing obvious. Albert Speer appointed armaments minister in 1942, described Goring’s years in charge as an ‘era of incompetence, arrogance and egotism’
Albert Speer?
Architect who joined Nazi party in 1931. Helped design the settings for the Nuremberg rallies and was responsible for designing many iconic Nazi buildings, including the Reich Chancellery in Berlin.
In 1942, appointed minister of armaments. After Germany’s defeat tried at Nuremberg and given 20 years in the can.
Rationalisation of production and the ‘production miracle’?
Under Speer’s direction, rationalisation of the production of armaments involved:
- Central Coordination of the allocation of labour, equipment and materials to armaments factories.
- Concentration of production in fewer factories and a narrow range of standardised weapons.
- More shift working to keep factories running 24/7.
Speer’s innovation resulted in what has been described as a ‘production miracle’. Between 1941 and 43, German aircraft production increased by 200% and tank 250%. The production of the Messerschmitt Bf 109, one Germany’s main fighter planes, concentrated in 3 factories rather than 7. Production increased from 180 to 1,000 a month.
