Impact On Society

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Changing Impact of World War Two on Women

As many men were fighting, women were required to take their place in heavy industry to maintain the war effort.

Compulsory service

From 1939, women had to do compulsory service in the RAD.
The regime shied away from moving women into war-related or heavy industries for fear of lowering soldiers’ morale, but by 1942 labour shortages were acute.
Heavy German losses in the USSR led to men being taken from war-related industries for the armed forces, so women made up their numbers.
By the end of 1943, approximately 1.5 million (around 34% of) women were doing war work.

Auxiliary forces

Women joined auxiliary forces (e.g. Navy, Luftwaffe) and the SS-Helferinnen.
3,700 women served in concentration camps.

Other professions

Other jobs women did to help the war effort included:
- Accountants.
- Interpreters.
- Laboratory work.
- Nursing.

Historical assessment

More women were brought into the workforce during the war but many people in Germany, both men and women, were keen to ensure that this lasted for the wartime period only.
We should not assume that women 'wanted' to work. For many of them, especially working-class women, work was a financial necessity and a burden. We should not assume that women's conscription into the work-force had an instantly 'freeing' effect on them.

Changing Impact of World War Two on Elites

Having courted the elites in the 1930s, Hitler turned against them in 1943. Nevertheless, many continued to fight in the German armed forces – although some became involved in plots against Hitler.

Before World War Two

Before the Second World War, Hitler had courted the German élites.
This was because he needed their funding and support for his re-armament programme and war ambition.

Historical assessment

Urbach (2015):
- The aristocracy saw themselves as part of an international élite. Their international family contacts helped Hitler’s diplomacy in the 1930s.
Petropoulos (2006):
- About one third of German princes joined the NSDAP.

1943: Hitler changes his approach

In May 1943 the 'Decree Concerning Internationally Connected Men' banned princes from holding positions in the armed forces, Nazi party or government.

Prince Philipp von Hesse

Prince Philipp von Hesse joined the NSDAP and was complicit in the T4 euthanasia programme in Hesse-Kassel.
However, Hitler turned against him.
Philipp was arrested in 1943 on suspicion his family helped overthrow Mussolini.
He and his wife, Mafalda, were sent to concentration camps. Mafalda died there.

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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