Nazi State by 1945

The Nazi State by 1945

By 1945, Allied bombing, the collapse of Germany’s Wehrwirtschaft and the Soviet invasion of Berlin had led to desperation among the German people. Defeat was inevitable.

The bitter end

-The economy could no longer supply the German war effort by 1945.

On 19 March, Hitler ordered all industry, transport and communications facilities in Germany to be destroyed.
In March 1945, the SS reported German public opinion to be at its lowest ebb.
Bessel (2010):
- Germany’s armed forces were being commanded to sacrifice themselves.
In the final weeks of the war, thousands of ordinary Germans, government and military personnel committed suicide.

Civilian life

There were low rations, long queues and boy soldiers aged as young as 14, (or even younger) were given the task of defending Berlin.
Bessel (2010):
- Nazi fanatics murdered those they thought defeatist (including boys who had not wanted to volunteer to fight).

Bombings

On 3 February, one thousand USAAF bombers attacked Berlin.
On 13 February the bombing of Dresden began. Over three days up to 25,000 people were killed.
In March 1945 the Allies dropped over 133,000 tons of bombs on Germany.
Railway transport had been especially badly hit by Allied bombing, meaning supply lines were paralysed.
Fuel depots and communication were also hit. The Luftwaffe did not have the fuel to counter Allied bombers and fighters.

Liberation of concentration camps

Between 1944 and 1945, concentration camps became fuller and the death toll rose greatly.
The Nazis still put resources into evacuating camps and moving prisoners.
From January 1945, concentration camps began to be liberated by the Allies:
- Auschwitz-Birkenau: 27 January 1945.
- Ohrdruf: 4 April 1945.
- Buchenwald: 10 April.
- Bergen-Belsen: 15 April.
- Dachau: 29 April.

Hitler's death

On 31 December 1944 Hitler broadcast to the nation that he believed Germany would win the war.
As late as 21 April he ordered a counter-attack against the Soviet Army, which was outside Berlin.
On 29 April, Hitler heard of Mussolini’s death. He married Eva Braun.
On 30 April, the Hitlers committed suicide by poison.

Historical assessment

Nicholas Stargardt (2011):
- Soldiers' letters show that there was a shift in their emotional investment at the end of the war. They were no longer fighting for the Fuhrer and for National Socialism but were fuelled by images of their family and their future.
- For German people the 'existential threat turned the focus both inwards and outwards, entwining the 'apolitical' promise of future domesticity with the need to hold the line.'

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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