The Home front in Germany, 1939-43

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  • Created by: Anna
  • Created on: 21-01-12 19:30

The Impact of war on the German people, 1939-45 

"In 1914, I believe, the excitement in Berlin on the first day of the world war was tremendous. Today, no excitement, no hurrahs, no cheering, no throwing of flowers, no war fever, no war hysteria."

Shirer, Berlin;The Journal of a Foreign Correspondant, 1933-41

MORALE

  • September 1939- no cheering crowds. 
  • Loyalty to Fuhrer strong
  • Foreign policy triumphs 1933-39 successful
  • Reluctant loyalty- did not match Hitler's expectations
  • Essential to sustain morale- SD made reports. 

(http://www.ushmm.org/lcmedia/map/lc/image/eur86810.gif)

  • First 21 months: propaganda not always effective
  • Even in victories over Poland, Norway, Holland, Belgium and France, desire for an end. 
  • When Britain refused, and war was extended to Mediterranean, it was clear it would last longer
  • Craig: June 1940: "last time reports were ever so reassuring",

Comments

Dafydd Owen

Report

Brilliant, however I feel you could add more to the economic section...especially the fact that although Germany had about double the population of Britain (80 million versus 40 million), it had to use far more labour to provide food and energy. Britain imported food and employed only a million people (5% of labour force) on farms, while Germany used 11 million (27%)! Thanks for the sheep though. Fantastic sheep.