2 1 3 BOMBING SOCIAL IMPACT HOWEVER, there were other obvious impacts of war: World War Two had a profound effect on German civilians. In the first few years of the war the impact was minimal amid a series of stunning German military victories. However, this was soon followed by defeats and retreats. Germany was soon being bombed night and day by carpet bombing and life became very tough The last few months of the war were especially terrible for German civilians. German civilians did not welcome the war with UK and France (unlike in 1914) HOWEVER, a series of stunning military victories between 1939 and 1941 saw Germany conquer countries from France to the gates of Moscow. German civilians were buoyed and encouraged by this. This also helped soften up the impact of war... to an extent as Germany exploited the occupied countries. EVACUATION OF CHILDREN Children were evacuated to the countryside from the big cities due to the fear of air raids. This actually wasn't very popular and many returned BACKGROUND WOMEN There was huge reluctance to recruit women into the war effort. However by 1943 the pressure was so great that the Nazis obliged up to 3 million to sign up for work. However, only 400,000 were accepted. By 1944 however over 41% were employed in an effort to cover up from the devastating losses in military setbacks like Stalingrad. This represented 1 million women in employment. Women's health suffers in the war due to - the bombing - the food shortages - the worries about their sons/ husbands/ brothers etc VOLKSSTRUM As the war drew to a close, Germany struggled to stay fighting. It began to use its elderly and young people to fight in the Volkstrum people's home guard. They were not trained and many died. Young boys got jobs such as telegraph or post boys ; girls helped out in kindergartens and helped those affected by the war. ECONOMICALLY, - All non essential businesses were CLOSED. - TARGETS were placed on many factories and raw materials were prioritised for the war effort. - Factories were RATIONALISED. They were made much more efficient and used mass production techniques to ensure high productivity. Economics minister SPEER. managed to cut manpower hours on the Panzer tank assembly line by 50%. ⬆ He also increased productivity on munitions by 60% ⬆ Working hours increased for german workers There were more than 6.4 million foreign workers in Germany by 1944. Most were forced to leave their countries this represented 21% of the work force. DRESDEN Feb 1945 RATIONS It was clear that things were becoming bad. In 1939 meat was rationed at 700 gms a person a week By 1945 this was down to 250 gms In 1943 they were even killing zoo animals. Bread was sold one day old so it would be more chewing Foreign workers were given starvation rations Coal and timber was used for fuel Gardens and parks were used for vegetables. Potato stalks were used as fuel pellets. Electric was very limited. Shops often displayed items they could not sell. For example salt filled bottles gave the appearance of milk which was not available The Black market became stronger as the war continued. It could result in execution but often Nazi officials took bribes. SOCIAL Professional sports matches , magazines and sweet shops were all shut down for the duration of the war. CINEMAS were the exception due to their propaganda value RATIONING: Germany had to introduce rationing as soon as the war began! This was much earlier than Britain. This was partially to do with poor economic management from Goring in particular. Germany was still reliant on imports for 1/3rd of its raw materials despite GORING'S promises of autarky ( self sufficiency) - Rations actually ensured that people received a balanced diet. As it was available to everyone it actually led to a better diet for many! Germans had 7 colour coded ration books for different foods. - Ersatz products were produced. These were artificial replacements. For example ersatz coffee was made from barley and acorns. - Luxury or imported foods such as chocolate or some fruits were not available. - There was extra rations for Pregnant women, blood donors and people in heavy industry. - Clothing was rationed as early as November 1939. - Warm water was rationed too; warm baths were only available twice a week! Soap was also rationed as was toilet paper! This led to a very strong and buoyant black market (illegal trading) PROPAGANDA IN WAR The war changed how the Nazis used Propaganda It was still used to indoctrinate on Nazi racial beliefs and ideology - Eternal Jew and Jus Suss However, with mass rallies and other areas limited the Nazis used cinema and events to drive home their messages - Hitler began to appear less and less although he still did speak on radio. Goebbels made much more of an appearance and was responsible for morale. - Public campaigns to collect winter wear and metal were popular ways to boost morale. - Newspapers were told not to print news of German defeats and to concentrate on victories. the famous Frankfurter Zeitung was closed due to breaking these rules. - Goebbels lavished money on a film epic called KOLBERG in 1945 as the Russians were advancing. Up to 200,000 soldiers were used as extras Tonnes of salt was used as snow. It was filmed in colour - which was very expensive! It was the story of German resistance to Napoleon and was supposed to inspire them to resist against all the odds. As the war drew to a close there was a marked decline in morale as many Germans lost hope in final victory. Many began to quietly ‘grumble’ However, there were also many who maintained faith and believed the propaganda about so called wonder weapons that were supposed to exist. Some gained heart from the V1 and V2 rockets which were used on London or the first jet planes but the reality had set in as the allies closed in on Germany itself and many stopped listening to the Nazi news not believing it to be true. LABOUR SHORTAGES The massive movement of men to the battle fronts caused a huge labour shortage in Germany. This meant that factories were struggling to improve their productivity. To make up this gap foreign workers were used. This may have meant compulsory orders to bring them to Germany, it may have meant slave labour or POW's BOMBING Bombing had a huge effect on Germany. With the US involvement, it meant that the allies could bomb night (RAF ) and day (USAAF ) Many German cities were carpet bombed which didn't afford much accuracy and led to many civilian deaths and injuries as well as massive destruction. The allies aimed to break civilian morale and affect the economy Cities like Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt and Hamburg were all devastated. HAMBURG was engulfed in a huge firestorm due to the dry weather at the time and strong winds. 45,000 people were killed. The heat was so intense that the tar boiled sticking people to the road. DRESDEN was particularly cruelly targeted toward the end of the war with ghastly consequences. 150,000 were reported to have died over two nights and much of the once beautiful city was destroyed. 350,000 civilians died in bombing ; 800,000 were wounded. 3.6 million homes were destroyed. Millions were homeless 50% of bombs fell on residential areas Many people fled to the countryside ; many had to share homes Some countries taken over by Germany; 1939: Poland 1940: France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway 1941: Greece, Yugoslavia and much of Eastern Europe RESOURCES Germany can reduce the impact of war and solve part of its resources problem by taking resources from the countries it seized. This included gold reserves, natural resources and of course people. FOREIGN LABOUR Germany used prisoners of war and people from other countries conquered to fill the labour gap left by men heading to war. By May 1940 there were more than. 3.5 million fewer workers in the workforce than 1 year earlier. Foreign labour would later make up 20% of labour in Germany From 1943 the war started to swing against the Germans and the impact on he civilians on the home front became significantly greater. The entry of the USA into the war, the turning of he tide in Russia and increasing bombing all played an impact on German morale and conditions. Goebbels called for a Total War in 1943.. meaning that everything in society was mobilised towards war. TOTAL WAR 1941-45 The key thing to remember about covering the war is that you should split it in TWO HALVES The first half went reasonably well for the Germans with some impact but to a limited degree The second half was a lot worse as the war turned against them on lots of angles. You must be able to assess the impact of both periods. PROPAGANDA AND CAMPAIGNS Propaganda was organised to boost morale and the war effort. Campaigns were organised by Hitler Youth to collect metal items for melting down like pots and pans. 1.5 million items of fur and 67 million woollen items were collected to supply soldiers freezing on the eastern front. BOMBING At the start of the war bombing was very minimal. The British worried about damaging private property at one point. They first concentrated on dropping propaganda leaflets in the hope it would convince Germans When Churchill took over they began to bomb industrial targets. However, this was dangerous with high losses and often missed the targets. 1939-41 EARLY IMPACT OF THE WAR THE IMPACT OF WAR ON GERMAN CIVILIANS
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2
1
3
BOMBING
SOCIAL IMPACT
HOWEVER, there were other obvious impacts of war:
World War Two had a profound effect on German civilians.
In the first few years of the war the impact was minimal amid a series of stunning German military victories.
However, this was soon followed by defeats and retreats. Germany was soon being bombed night and day by carpet bombing and life became very tough
The last few months of the war were especially terrible for German civilians.
German civilians did not welcome the war with UK and France (unlike in 1914)
HOWEVER, a series of stunning military victories between 1939 and 1941 saw Germany conquer countries from France to the gates of Moscow.
German civilians were buoyed and encouraged by this.
This also helped soften up the impact of war... to an extent as Germany exploited the occupied countries.
EVACUATION OF CHILDRENChildren were evacuated to the countryside from the big cities due to the fear of air raids. This actually wasn't very popular and many returned
BACKGROUND
WOMENThere was huge reluctance to recruit women into the war effort.
However by 1943 the pressure was so great that the Nazis obliged up to 3 million to sign up for work. However, only 400,000 were accepted. By 1944 however over 41% were employed in an effort to cover up from the devastating losses in military setbacks like Stalingrad. This represented 1 million women in employment.
Women's health suffers in the war due to - the bombing- the food shortages- the worries about their sons/ husbands/ brothers etc
VOLKSSTRUMAs the war drew to a close, Germany struggled to stay fighting. It began to use its elderly and young people to fight in the Volkstrum people's home guard. They were not trained and many died.
Young boys got jobs such as telegraph or post boys ; girls helped out in kindergartens and helped those affected by the war.
ECONOMICALLY, - All non essential businesses were CLOSED.
- TARGETS 🎯 were placed on many factories and raw materials were prioritised for the war effort.
- Factories were RATIONALISED. They were made much more efficient and used mass production techniques to ensure high productivity.
Economics minister SPEER. managed to cut manpower hours on the Panzer tank assembly line by 50%. ⬆
He also increased productivity on munitions by 60% ⬆
Working hours increased for german workers 😓
There were more than 6.4 million foreign workers in Germany by 1944. Most were forced to leave their countries this represented 21% of the work force.
DRESDEN Feb 1945
RATIONSIt was clear that things were becoming bad. In 1939 meat was rationed at 700 gms a person a weekBy 1945 this was down to 250 gmsIn 1943 they were even killing zoo animals. Bread 🍞 was sold one day old so it would be more chewingForeign workers were given starvation rations Coal and timber was used for fuel Gardens and parks were used for vegetables. Potato stalks were used as fuel pellets. Electric was very limited. Shops often displayed items they could not sell. For example salt filled bottles gave the appearance of milk 🥛 which was not availableThe Black market became stronger as the war continued. It could result in execution but often Nazi officials took bribes. 💰
SOCIALProfessional sports matches , magazines and sweet shops were all shut down for the duration of the war.
CINEMAS 🎥 were the exception due to their propaganda value
RATIONING: Germany had to introduce rationing as soon as the war began! This was much earlier than Britain. This was partially to do with poor economic management from Goring in particular. Germany was still reliant on imports for 1/3rd of its raw materials despite GORING'S promises of autarky ( self sufficiency)
- Rations actually ensured that people received a balanced diet. As it was available to everyone it actually led to a better diet for many! Germans had 7 colour coded ration books for different foods.- Ersatz products were produced. These were artificial replacements. For example ersatz coffee was made from barley and acorns. - Luxury or imported foods such as chocolate or some fruits were not available.- There was extra rations for Pregnant women, blood donors and people in heavy industry.- Clothing was rationed as early as November 1939. - Warm water was rationed too; warm baths were only available twice a week! Soap was also rationed as was toilet paper! This led to a very strong and buoyant black market (illegal trading)
PROPAGANDA IN WAR The war changed how the Nazis used Propaganda It was still used to indoctrinate on Nazi racial beliefs and ideology - Eternal Jew and Jus Suss
However, with mass rallies and other areas limited the Nazis used cinema and events to drive home their messages
- Hitler began to appear less and less although he still did speak on radio. Goebbels made much more of an appearance and was responsible for morale.
- Public campaigns to collect winter wear and metal were popular ways to boost morale.
- Newspapers were told not to print news of German defeats and to concentrate on victories. the famous Frankfurter Zeitung was closed due to breaking these rules.
- Goebbels lavished money on a film epic called KOLBERG in 1945 as the Russians were advancing. Up to 200,000 soldiers were used as extrasTonnes of salt was used as snow. It was filmed in colour - which was very expensive!
It was the story of German resistance to Napoleon and was supposed to inspire them to resist against all the odds.
As the war drew to a close there was a marked decline in morale as many Germans lost hope in final victory. Many began to quietly ‘grumble’
However, there were also many who maintained faith and believed the propaganda about so called wonder weapons that were supposed to exist. Some gained heart from the V1 and V2 rockets which were used on London or the first jet planes but the reality had set in as the allies closed in on Germany itself and many stopped listening to the Nazi news not believing it to be true.
LABOUR SHORTAGES The massive movement of men to the battle fronts caused a huge labour shortage in Germany. This meant that factories were struggling to improve their productivity.
To make up this gap foreign workers were used. This may have meant compulsory orders to bring them to Germany, it may have meant slave labour or POW's
BOMBINGBombing had a huge effect on Germany. With the US involvement, it meant that the allies could bomb night (RAF 🇬🇧 ) and day (USAAF 🇺🇸 )
Many German cities were carpet bombed which didn't afford much accuracy and led to many civilian deaths and injuries as well as massive destruction. The allies aimed to break civilian morale and affect the economy
Cities like Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt and Hamburg were all devastated. HAMBURG was engulfed in a huge firestorm due to the dry weather at the time and strong winds. 45,000 people were killed. The heat was so intense that the tar boiled sticking people to the road. DRESDEN was particularly cruelly targeted toward the end of the war with ghastly consequences. 150,000 were reported to have died over two nights and much of the once beautiful city was destroyed.
350,000 civilians died in bombing 💀 ; 800,000 were wounded. 3.6 million homes were destroyed. 🔥 Millions were homeless50% of bombs fell on residential areas 🏠
Many people fled to the countryside ; many had to share homes
Some countries taken over by Germany;1939: Poland1940: France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway 1941: Greece, Yugoslavia and much of Eastern Europe
RESOURCESGermany can reduce the impact of war and solve part of its resources problem by taking resources from the countries it seized. This included gold reserves, natural resources and of course people.
FOREIGN LABOURGermany used prisoners of war and people from other countries conquered to fill the labour gap left by men heading to war.By May 1940 there were more than. 3.5 million fewer workers in the workforce than 1 year earlier. Foreign labour would later make up 20% of labour in Germany
From 1943 the war started to swing against the Germans and the impact on he civilians on the home front became significantly greater.
The entry of the USA into the war, the turning of he tide in Russia and increasing bombing all played an impact on German morale and conditions.
Goebbels called for a Total War in 1943.. meaning that everything in society was mobilised towards war.
TOTAL WAR 1941-45
The key thing to remember about covering the war is that you should split it in TWO HALVES
The first half went reasonably well for the Germans with some impact but to a limited degree
The second half was a lot worse as the war turned against them on lots of angles. You must be able to assess the impact of both periods.
PROPAGANDA AND CAMPAIGNS Propaganda was organised to boost morale and the war effort. Campaigns were organised by Hitler Youth to collect metal items for melting down like pots and pans. 1.5 million items of fur and 67 million woollen items were collected to supply soldiers freezing on the eastern front.
BOMBING At the start of the war bombing was very minimal. The British worried about damaging private property at one point. They first concentrated on dropping propaganda leaflets in the hope it would convince Germans When Churchill took over they began to bomb industrial targets. However, this was dangerous with high losses and often missed the targets.
1939-41 EARLY IMPACT OF
THE WAR
THE IMPACT OF WAR
ON GERMAN CIVILIANS
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