Impact of War on the German People

Morale and mood of the public
1. - People were not as patriotic as with WW1
  1. - Lacked enthusiasm, no cheering
    1. These didn't meet Hitlers expectations
    2. Even early victories didn't lift morale much
      1. October 1939-September 1940
        Rapid defeat of Poland, Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium did evoke some celebration though
        Severe winter: coal shortages, partial breakdown of railway
        Refusal of GB to make peace
        Air Raids from GB began
        Abandoned plan to invade GB
        People were frustrated
2. Invasion of the USSR
  1. SD Reports: People still depressed
  2. Concerned that others are being treated better than some
  3. Minimum food
  4. Aware that the Russians are tough
  5. Events: June 1941: Invasion of the Soviet Union - Failed to achieve a quick victory
    1. November 1941: German Army had pushed Soviet Forces back
      1. 5th December 1941: Red Army launched a counter attack- forced German army back
        11th December: War on the US.
        19th December: Army Commander in Chief dismissed for failures of German Army
        January 1942: An SD report: confidence beginning to erode
        Summer 1942: Victories against British
        Autumn 1942: German and Italian forces defeated in N. Africa
        January 1943: German forces surrounded and had to surrender at Stalingrad
        February 1943: 'Total War'
Propaganda
1. Depicted the soldiers as well equipped: Why would they ask for winter supplies?
  1. It confirmed what the returning soldiers had said
Impact of the war
1. Workers:
  1. More men had to be conscripted, though full scale conscription not implemented in the first two years
    1. Efficient use of workers
      1. Reduction of workers in consumer goods
      2. Rise in numbers employed in munitions
      3. Non essential workers released to military
  2. Increase in production of armaments
  3. Had to use avalble people and foreign workers:
  4. 'Decree on the Conversion of the whole German Economy onto a war footing'
    1. Wage reductions, no overtime pay, but it wasn't popular so it had to be resorted in October 1939
2. Women
  1. Queueing for food was common
  2. 1936-7, Regime modified position towards women
  3. Pressure to be employed in industry
    1. Hitler refused to employ more women in 1940
      1. Married women with kids encouraged to leave employment
      2. Women in work declined 39-41: 2.3 Million (39) 2.2 Million (41)
    2. September 1939: 6,400,000 women in work
      1. Made up 27% of the industrial labour force
        Mobilised by the NS-F to harvest, prepare food parcels and home evacuated kids
        NS- F taught women how to cope with wartime
  4. Working hours increased
  5. Incentives for families with conscripted men
3. Youth
  1. Early stages of war: Not necessary to conscript young to help with war work yet
  2. HJ activities continued: future soldiers so more emphasis on military
    1. Shooting and excercises
    2. BDM and HJ compulsory 1939
  3. Expected to help with 'Winter Aid'
    1. Set up camps- requistioned hotels for evacuees
  4. Evacuation of children began in September 1940
    1. Not compulsory but hard to opt-out of
  5. Indoctrination was high prority

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Impact of War on the German People

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