WJEC ­ Germany in
Transition
War and it's impact on life in Germany 1939 -
1947…read more

Initial Impact
This was the
successful period of
the war for Germany:
Military success ­
the Blitzkrieg tactics
pushed the army
forward to Poland
in 1939, and
Holland, Belgium,
Luxembourg,
Denmark, Norway
and France in 1940…read more

Initial Impact
No effect on the civilian population
Germany takes resources from the lands of the
countries that they occupied.
Foreign workers in their factories.
But remember, not everyone
supported the war, as they
remembered the atrocities of
the First World War.…read more

Rationing
Food rationing ­ ensuring that everyone ate a
balanced diet. Many ate even better during the war.
Artificial goods were used, eg ersatzkaffee - a coffee
made from acorn and barley seeds.
November 1939 - started to ration clothes.
People were only allowed to use warm water twice
a week ­ as a way of saving fuel.
Soap rationing
No toilet paper…read more

Rationing
The result of rationing was that a flourishing black
market developed, to exchange goods.
Also, the German citizens started eating much
healthier.
In September 1940, arrangements were made to
move children from Berlin because of air raids by
the Allies. This wasn't very successful, as many
stayed in Berlin.…read more

The Change in the Role
of Women
Women's health suffered during the war
Food shortage
Bombings
They were worried about their children and their
husbands who were in battle
1943 ­ The Nazis tried to force 3 million women aged 17­45
to work. Only 1 million went in to work. This was one of the
reasons why they lost the war. Foreign workers represented
21 per cent of Germany's workforce.…read more