4.1.2
Impact of Total War on the People
The Impact of the Second World War - Post-Barbarossa
The Impact of the Second World War - Post-Barbarossa
After Operation Barbarossa, the impact of the war was taking its toll on Germany.
Operation Barbarossa and bombing
Operation Barbarossa and bombing
- We can think of the German invasion of the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa) as a turning point in German fortune.
- By 1942, the impact of the war was taking its toll on Germany.
- Between March 1942 and May 1945, Great Britain and the US bombed major German cities. These bombings aimed to cause maximum civilian casualties.
- For example, 70% of Dresden was destroyed.
The British and US bombing raids
The British and US bombing raids
- Although air raid shelters had been built, 500,000 civilians were killed and 750,000 Germans were wounded in these raids.
- The bombing destroyed over 1 million homes. This meant over 7 million people were left homeless.
- Bomb raids also targeted supply lines and factories.
- This damaged the war effort because it stopped armaments (weapons and military equipment) being sent to the front line.
Post-Barbarossa rationing
Post-Barbarossa rationing
- Between 1942 and 1945, rationing had increased for German civilians.
- Shortages increased and this meant rations were reduced.
- Clothing rations were completely stopped.
- By 1945, the rationing system was completely null (had no value). People used the black market to survive.
- After the war, Germany returned to a completely free market and no rationing very quickly.
Shortage of labour
Shortage of labour
- By 1943, there was a noticeable shortage of labour.
- Workers in European occupied countries were sent to Germany to work.
- Prisoners of war were forced to work in concentration camps.
- In January 1943, men between 16 and 65 and women between 17 and 45 were forced to work or fight.
- Although 3 million women were called to work, only 1 million came.
- Children from the Hitler Youth helped on farms.
- By 1945, the Hitler Youth were helping on the homefront.
Refugees
Refugees
- Aside from the refugees being driven out by the Nazi's racial policies, German refugees who had become homeless during the bombings of Dresden and Berlin moved to other parts of Germany.
- In July 1944, millions of refugees came from countries such as Poland and Czechoslovakia in fear of the Red Army from the Soviet Union.
- By January 1945 the Russians had invaded Germany and millions fled to the Western cities.
- This placed more pressure on cities that were already strained by bomb raids.
1Dictatorship
1.1Hitler & The Nazi Party in 1933
1.2Establishing Dictatorship, 1933-1934
2Control & Opposition
2.1The Machinery of Terror
2.2Nazi Propaganda
3Changing Lives, 1933-1939
3.2The Lives of Young People
4Germany in War
4.1The Impact of War
4.2Growing Opposition from the German People
5Occupation
5.1Nazi Rule in Eastern and Western Europe
5.2The Final Solution
Jump to other topics
1Dictatorship
1.1Hitler & The Nazi Party in 1933
1.2Establishing Dictatorship, 1933-1934
2Control & Opposition
2.1The Machinery of Terror
2.2Nazi Propaganda
3Changing Lives, 1933-1939
3.2The Lives of Young People
4Germany in War
4.1The Impact of War
4.2Growing Opposition from the German People
5Occupation
5.1Nazi Rule in Eastern and Western Europe
5.2The Final Solution
Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring
Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home
Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs
30+ school subjects covered