The War Economy and Total War Flashcards
(16 cards)
What was the Four Year Plan (1936)?
A plan by Hermann Göring to prepare Germany’s economy for war within 4 years by achieving autarky and increasing military production.
Who was Albert Speer and what was his role during the war?
Hitler’s Armaments Minister (1942–45); he centralized production, improved efficiency, and significantly increased military output.
What is meant by a “war economy”?
An economy that is entirely geared towards supporting a country’s military effort, including mass production of weapons and rationing of consumer goods.
What is “Total War” in the context of Nazi Germany?
The full mobilization of society and the economy to support the war effort, affecting civilians as well as soldiers.
When did Germany begin transitioning to a total war economy?
After the defeat at Stalingrad (1943), Joseph Goebbels called for “Total War” in his famous speech.
How did Speer improve armament production?
Introduced rationalisation, standardisation of parts, use of forced labour, and focused factories on single products.
What role did women play in the Nazi war economy?
Women were increasingly recruited into war work, though Nazi ideology initially discouraged their involvement in the workforce.
What were the main problems with Germany’s war economy early in the war?
Lack of coordination, competing agencies, inefficiencies, and ideological resistance to female and forced labour.
What were the main problems with Germany’s war economy early in the war?
Lack of coordination, competing agencies, inefficiencies, and ideological resistance to female and forced labour.
What impact did Allied bombing have on the Nazi war economy?
Disrupted production and transport, but Speer’s decentralisation efforts limited the damage until late in the war.
When was the Total War economy officially declared?
After the defeat at Stalingrad (Feb 1943), Goebbels’ “Total War Speech” in the Sportpalast.
Why was Total War only partially successful?
Too late in the war.
Allied bombing disrupted production.
Continued Nazi ideological interference (e.g., not using women in factories).
How did the Allied bombing campaign affect the war economy?
Reduced industrial output, disrupted transport and energy supplies, forced relocation of factories underground.
How many foreign/forced labourers worked in Germany by 1944?
Over 7 million.
By how much did German war production increase under Speer?
Nearly tripled from 1942–1944.
What was Germany’s war production compared to the Allies?
Far less; US and USSR outproduced Germany significantly by 1944.
