War and its impact on life in Germany 1939-1947

How was life affected during the war years?

life during the early years of the war, 1939-41

• the success of the blitzkrieg tactic used by the german army in poland and western europe brought quick victories
• secured new supplies of raw materials as well as food and luxury goods which were sent back to Germany
• Germany followed a policy of autarky by attempting to become self-sufficient
• rationing of food, clothes and fuel which was introduced in 1939
• food ration cards had the unexpected result of imposing a healthier and more balanced diet upon the German population
• fearing bombing raids, children were evacuated from berlin in september 1940
• many soon returned
• 1943- mass evacuation of children took place, with austria and bavaria being the main destinations
• all sections of society were encouraged to play a part in the war effort
• the hitler youth became active in collecting metal, clothing and books for recycling
• more and more women were recruited into industry after 1937
• they were needed to fill places left by conscripted men
• this did not become official policy until much later in the war
• Goebbels made effective use of propaganda using the german victories of 1939-41 to boost morale at home and ensure support for the war effort

life during the later war years, 1942-45

• Germany suffered many key defeats such as the battles of stalingrad and el alamein
• meant the war was no longer going in Germany's favour
• february 1943- goebbels announced the policy of total war
• meant ensuring all sections of the economy and society played a part in the war effort
• to keep up morale goebbels launched an intensive propaganda campaign
• posters played on the fear of communism, offering the stark choice of victory or bolshevism
• september 1943- albert speer appointed reich minister for armaments and production
• quickly took direct control of the war economy
• cut the production of consumer goods
• concentrated on war production
• productivity increased
• foreign workers were brought in to cover labour shortages
• 1943- nazis tried to mobilise women. 3 million women were callws to work
• only 1 million took up jobs
• as defeats mounted, food shortages increased
• 1942- food rations reduced
• parks and gardens in cities were dug up and used as vegetable patches
• short supply of goods led to illegal trading and a flourishing black market
• may 1943- britain and the usa began a heavy bombing programme against german cities
• aim was to disrupt war production and destory civilian morale
• millions were made homeless
• september 1944- the volkssturm, a peoples home guard, was formed
• was to be used to defend germany's cities against the allied invasion
• made up of men to old to serve and boys from the hitler youth
• all expected to provide their own uniforms and weapons
• lacked experience
• poorly trained
• april 1945- played an active role in the defence of central berlin against the russian invasion

The Nazi treatment of Jews during the war years

emigration- initial was forced emigration

ghettos

• rapid german success caused the adoption of a…