Transcript How did War change life in Nazi Germany?

HOW DID WAR
CHANGE LIFE IN NAZI
GERMANY?
www.educationforum.co.uk
The War Went Through 4 Stages for
Germany
1939-41 Blitzkrieg - a successful phase
2. June 1941 – 1943 Operation Barbarossa – the
invasion of Russia (Soviet Union)
3. Feb 1943 – Total War – Germany lost the battle of
Stalingrad and start to retreat – a turning point
4. Defeat – July 1944 -45 – Germany encircled Britain
and Amerca advancing in the West, Russia in the East
1.
Stage 1:Blitzkrieg 1939-41
1939-41 Blitzkrieg – The
Nazis fought a
successful ‘lighting war’
conquering many
territories including
Poland, Austria,
Czechoslovakia and
France – the Hitler myth
appeared to be true!
Impact
Rationing introduced but
seen as fair – Germans
also benefited from food
from conquered
countries
Germany well defended –
some bombing of
German cities but not
extensive
Stage 2: Operation Barbarossa
June 1941 -Operation
Barbarossa – Hitler
invades Russia – now a
war of two fronts putting
enormous stress on
German economy and
army
Impact
Shortages of clothes and
food in Germany –
rations of basics reduced
Hours in factories
increased and overtime
payment and holidays
banned
Conscription to the army
for men
Labour conscription to
the factories for women
Increased bombing of
German cities by RAF
Stage 3: Total War
Feb 1943 – Total War –
Germany defeated at
Battle of Stalingrad Feb
1943 and start having to
retreat. Gobbel's ‘total
war’ speech – attempt to
unite the whole country
in a final push to avoid
defeat
Impact
Massive, heavy bombing
of cities – tens of
thousands of deaths,
essential supplies cut off,
homelessness
Women working in
factories longer and
longer hours
Shortages and rationing
Massive surge in
propaganda after total
war speech
Growth in opposition.
Stage 4: Defeat
Defeat – by July 1944 it
was clear that Germany
was losing the war. Allied
troops (Britain and
America) had landed in
France (D Day) and were
advancing towards
Germany and the
Russians in the East
moving towards Berlin
Impact
Brutal bombings of
German cities e.g. in
Dresden 1945 Feb –
nearly 150,000 Germans
killed in 2 nights
Very serious shortages of
everything, hunger,
hopelessness, millions of
refugees
Child soldiers
‘protecting’ Berlin