germany during WW2

• how did nazi economy prepare for war?

  -pre-war: Hitler began the 'four year plan' that built up weapons and chemical industries and aimed to increase agricultural output.

  -Goering was put in charge of the economy attempting to make it self-sufficient as supplies were cut off following WWI so in shortage

  -Hitler knew he had to conquer more land to become fully self-sufficient (an autarky)
• how was economy affected as war broke out?

  -Germans were unprepared -> many workers had conscripted into the army so foreign workers were used to keep economy going

  -Speer put in charge of war economy: focused on war effort and increasing efficiency of production of weapons etc
• how was daily life affected by war?

  -reduced wages

  -women and children put to work (50% of workforce = women)

  -food and clothes were rationed -> substitute foods used later on as conditions worsened
• were people still in support of nazis?

  Anti-nazi protests began breaking out - White Rose Group: delivered anti-Nazi leaflets around Munich University -> members were executed for using non-violent methods to protest nazi discrimination
• what is world war two considered to be?

  a 'total war' - where all countries resources are considered part of war effort
• how were Germans affected later in war?

  all German resources had to be directed towards war effort:

  -non-essential production stopped

  -women expected worked

  -rationing was even more restricted
• how was Germany affected by bombings?

  -air raid shelters were built

  -by 1942 half a million Germans were killed from bombs

  -refugees fled to Germany but with little support available struggled for food and shelter