Speer (and War time economy)

• Who was in charge of the 4 Year Plan launched in 1936? 

  Hermann Goering; he was a war hero during WW1.  
• What was Goering more interested in than the whole German economy? 

  His own business empire.  
• What shortages did the German economy suffer from in the first 2 years of war? 

  Weapon and equipment shortages.  
• Why was Hitler shocked at Britain and France in Sep 1939? 

  He didn’t anticipate invading Poland would cause them to declare war on him.  
• Who took over from Goering in 1942?  

  Albert Speer. 
• Name 2 policies Speer introduced to help the German economy. 

  -Centralisation of command of the entire production industry 

  -Less factories and fewer choice in products 

  -24 hour a day operated factories via shift work 
• How do people often describe what Speer achieved?  

  As a ‘production miracle’.  
• Give an example of Speer’s increase in war production.  

  -Aircraft increased by 200% 

  -Tanks increased by 250% 
• Why did production slow toward the end of the war? 

  The allied bombing campaign focused mainly on the Rhineland which had the most factories.  
• How was a shortage in labour fixed? Give 2 examples.  

  -By paying for foreign labour by occupied countries (mostly cheaper eastern Europeans) 

  -By making more and more women join the labour force 

  -By using slave labour from concentration camps 
• What percentage was the foreign labour force?  

  About a quarter of the labour force (7 million workers).