Home Front

Rationing during World War Two

World War Two impacted every area of Germany's economy and society. Due to shortages of goods and foodstuffs, rationing was introduced. This mainly affected the non-Aryan population.

Introduction of rationing

Rationing was introduced in September 1939 for meat, fats and other items e.g. tobacco.
Rationing worsened after German invaded the USSR in 1941
- E.g. meat rations fell by 80%.
- Rationing extended to fruit and vegetables, even potatoes.

Imported goods

Key imports included:
- Oil.
- Iron ore.
- Food.
Ukraine (USSR) was a source of grain and Poland was a source of coal.
Neutral Sweden remained an important source of iron ore.

Who was affected by rationing?

Starvation rations were issued to Jews, Poles.
Starvation rations was also used as a means to control populations in occupied territories.
However, increased rations were given to workers in heavy industry vital for the war effort.

Propaganda was vital for maintaining high morale on the German home front. Whislt morale was high for the beginning of the war, it began to falter after 1943, when the war was not going in Germany's favour.

Propaganda response to success

Between 1939 and 1941 the tone of German propaganda was triumphant.
For example, the Wehrmachtbericht (daily radio broadcast) would emphasise German victories in Eastern Europe.
The Nazis argued that a 'Jewish conspiracy' was controlling the Allies.

Propaganda response to failure

By 1942, Goebbels’ attention turned to persuading Germans to accept the lower standards of living and reduced consumption.
Following the Battle of Stalingrad in 1943, the tone of German propaganda began to change.
Initially, Goebbels tried to downplay problems facing the German forces.
By 1945, the message was to fight to the bitter end. The Nazis fear of the USSR to instil determination.

Historical assessment

Historians generally believe the impact of propaganda was minimal, except in reinforcing existing fears and prejudices – e.g. against communists, Jews.
Bankier (1992) argues that ‘from 1941 onwards, the failure of Nazi promises to materialise drove a wedge between the population and the regime’.
Stargadrt (2016) argues that by 1943 the Nazi regime had to combat defeatism by whipping up German fears about the Jews. The Allied bombing of Germany in 1943 was used to rally a determination to survive.

1The Weimar Republic 1918-1933

1.1Establishment Of The Weimar Republic 1918-1924

1.1.1Post WW1

1.1.2Weimar Constitution

1.1.3Peace Settlement

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Germany Post WW1

1.1.5Economic Issues

1.1.6Economic Issues 2

1.1.7Social Issues

1.1.8End of Topic Test - Economic & Social Issues

1.1.9Extremist Threats

1.1.10Extremist Threats 2

1.1.11End of Topic Test - Extremist Threats

1.1.12Political Instability & The Invasion of the Ruhr

1.1.13Weimar Government by 1924

1.1.14End of Topic Test - Weimar Government by 1924

1.1.15A-A* (AO3/4) - Germany Post WW1

1.2The 'Golden Age' Of The Weimar Republic 1924-1928

1.2.1Economic Developments

1.2.2Industry & Agriculture

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Economic Developments

1.2.4Social Developments

1.2.5Social Developments 2

1.2.6End of Topic Test - Social Developments

1.2.7Political Parties

1.2.8Political Stability

1.2.9End of Topic Test - Weimar Politics

1.2.10Germany's International Position

1.2.11Germany's International Position 2

1.2.12End of Topic Test - International Position

1.2.13A-A* (AO3/4) - The Weimar 'Golden Age'

1.3The Collapse of Democracy 1928-1933

1.3.1The Impact Of The Depression

1.3.2Politics After The Depression

1.3.3The Appeal Of Extremism

1.3.4End of Topic Test - The Depression & Politics

1.3.5'Backstairs Intrigue'

1.3.6'Backstairs Intrigue' 2

1.3.7End of Topic Test - Backstairs Intrigue

1.3.8Political Developments

1.3.9The State by March 1933

1.3.10End of Topic Test - Political Developments

1.3.11A-A* (AO3/4) - The Collapse of Democracy

2Nazi Germany 1933-1945

2.1The Nazi Dictatorship 1933-1939

2.1.1Hitler's Consolidation Of Power

2.1.2The Terror State

2.1.3End of Topic Test - Consolidation of Power

2.1.4Opposition

2.1.5Propaganda

2.1.6A-A* (AO3/4) - Terror State & Propaganda

2.1.7End of Topic Test - Propaganda

2.1.8Economic Policies

2.1.9Economic Policies 2

2.1.10Impact Of Economic Policies

2.1.11Impact Of Economic Policies 2

2.1.12End of Topic Test - Economic Policies

2.1.13Social Policies

2.1.14Social Policies 2

2.1.15Volksgemeinschaft

2.1.16End of Topic Test - Social Policies

2.1.17A-A* (AO3/4) - Economic & Social Policies

2.2The Racial State 1933-1941

2.2.1The Radicalisation Of The State

2.2.2Anti-Semitism

2.2.3Development Of Anti-Semitic Policies

2.2.4Development Of Anti-Semitic Policies 2

2.2.5End of Topic Test - Anti-Semitism

2.2.6Treatment of the Jews in the Early Years of War

2.2.7Deportation & Anti-Semitism Evaluation

2.2.8End of Topic Test - Early Treatment of the Jews

2.2.9A-A* (AO3/4) - The Racial State

2.3The Impact Of War 1939-1945

2.3.1Home Front

2.3.2Impact On Society

2.3.3Impact On Society 2

2.3.4End of Topic Test - Impact of the War

2.3.5War Economy

2.3.6War Economy 2

2.3.7Policies Towards The Jews & Untermenschen

2.3.8A-A* (AO3/4) - Impact of the War

2.3.9End of Topic Test - War Economy

2.3.10Opposition

2.3.11Opposition 2

2.3.12Nazi State by 1945

2.3.13End of Topic Test - Opposition

2.3.14A-A* (AO3/4) - Opposition & The State in 1945

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