World War II and its impacts on Germany. Rationing, bombing and Resistance.

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The War and its Impacts

Since 1933, Nazis had been preparing for war; when it came it wasn’t greeted enthusiastically.

Many remembered the horrors of WWI.

First year went very well for AH.

German army swept through Eastern and Western Europe, meeting very little resistance.

First conquests quickly brought extra food and riches back to Germany.

From 1942, everything went very badly.

Nazi state began to fall apart.

WWII disrupted policies on women and the economy.

Sharpened the opposition, especially from the church; even Army leaders plotted to assassinate AH.

War slowly drained German resources, leading to shortages, illness and civilian deaths on a scale never seen before.

What was Life Like on the Home Front?

1939-41: The war goes well for Germany

September 1939  Germans prepared for the first winter at war.

Rationing was introduced for food and other objects (e.g. soap)

Hot water only permitted on two days per week.

More items rationed than in Britain.

As a result of rationing, 40% Germans ate better than before the war.

The diet became increasingly monotonous:

Vegetables and black rye bread, small amounts of meat, butter and one egg a week. Adults received no milk ration; children a generous one.

Bread was sold a day old – then it took more chewing and people ate less.

November 1939  clothes rationing introduced.

Some items like new shoes and winter coats were almost impossible to buy.

Alternatives to soap (liquid from stewed pine needles) and washing powder (stewed and strained ivy leaves).

Tobacco was difficult to find.

People so desperate that they would trade goods for cigarettes (e.g. farmer exchanges an egg for a cigarette).

Became a sort of substitute for money.

First year went well for Germany. As they conquered other countries, food as well as luxury goods (e.g. dresses, stockings, furs, perfumes) were imported from those countries, which could be bought on the black market if people had money. Most of the goods went to loyal or high rank Nazis.

1941-43: The tide turns against Germany

June 1941  AH ordered the invasion of USSR, hoping for the same victory he had had with other countries.

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Got the opposite, His army was bogged down in a four-year war.

End of 1942  Germany’s was going badly.

Hospital trains brought thousands of wounded Germans home from USSR.

People got more used to seeing wounded soldiers and women in mourning.

Propaganda

Campaigns were launched to keep up morale and to encourage people to support the war effort.

Goebbels claimed that between December 1941 and January 1942 Germans gave 1.5 million furs and 67 million woolen garments to help clothe German soldiers in USSR.

Others urged people to save fuel, work harder and even to try to avoid tooth decay.

Extra food rations were given out at ...

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