The Impact of the War on the German People

1. The Impact of the War on the German People Unit 4

2. Questions • How effective was Nazi Propaganda between September 1939 and June 1941 in sustaining the morale of the German people? • To what extent did German public opinion towards the war change between September 1939 and June 1941? • To what extent did the demands of the war effort force the Nazi regime to compromise its ideological beliefs? • How far is it true to say that the German People were increasingly reluctant to support the Nazi Regime between September 1939 and early 1943? • Why might some argue that the early Blitzkrieg victories ended up costing Germany the war?

3. Helmut Krausnick described the general German attitude towards the war as a ‘Reluctant Loyalty’ Yet, appeal of Hitler himself (Hitler Myth and Personal Popularity) along with the restoration of German might and prestige on the international stage meant Hitler had the consent of the majority of the people ‘War is the father of all things – every generation has to through it once’ – Hitler Early aims to mobilize the energies and commitment of the German people to the war effort Emphasis on fighting a defensive war against a plutocratic Britain Hitler realised the key to not taking the public for granted and repeating the mistakes of World War One – Rationing of vital goods How effective was Nazi Propaganda between September 1939 and the end of 1941 in sustaining the morale of the German people?

4. SD evidence that propaganda not always effective in lifting morale William Shirer commented on the general glum mood in Berlin on the eve of war that was vastly different to the mood pre 1914 Effects of rationing and distribution of goods according on importance of workers the relief of the German people at the peaceful outcome of the Czech Crisis meant that much of the pre war propaganda that was devoted to instilling a military mood could perhaps be considered a failure or at least of limited success Bar a few fanatical Nazis, the most discerning perception of Nazi Foreign Policy successes were that they were achieved without war Early victories tempered by the fact that Britain would not sue for a quick peace On set of harsh winters in 1940 and 1941 dissipated the optimism which Hitler could generate How effective was Nazi Propaganda between September 1939 and the end of 1941 in sustaining the morale of the German people?

5. Positive September 1939? May / June 1940 June 1941? Negative October 1939 – April 1940 July – September 1940 October 1940 – May 1941 Look at chapter to see how the effects of propaganda decreased dramatically after 1942 as the German army suffered numerous defeats aligned with the onset of total war To what extent did German public opinion towards the war change between September 1939 and June 1941?

6. Workers ‘Decree on the conversion of the whole German economy onto a war footing’ Wage reductions / longer hours… Widespread discontent – absenteeism Policy reversed Defeat in Russia brought issue of slave labour to the front Efforts to take labour away from the civilian side to work in munitions frustrated by the efforts of local gauleiters Women and Youth Bore brunt of hardships By September 1939 women had increased in the labour front despite Nazi rhetoric Yet war effort increased tension with rhetoric and by 1941 women had declined in the workforce Increased militarised indoctrination of the young Help with Winter Aid programme Issue of employment went to the heart of weakness of Nazi regime To what extent did the demands of the war effort force the Nazi regime to compromise its ideological beliefs?

7. Why might some argue that the early Blitzkrieg victories ended up costing Germany the war? • Points to consider • War Economy • Logistics of the Party before emergence of Speer • The flaws of Fuhrerprinzip

8. Verdict • The Nazis can be considered a victim of their early success • Belief that the Blitzkrieg victories could be repeated in the East and as such no urgency for full scale mobilisation • A serious lack of coherent planning and organisation with the Nazi Regime – competing internal agencies / Gauleiter power etc

9. S.D report of July 1941 reported on how morale was dropping – mixture of factors… No forthcoming end to the war Growing realisation of a drawn out affair Late 1941 – Red Army counterattack / Declaring war on USA Rising casualties and earnest letters home contrasted with regime propaganda Stalingrad a real turning point and bar a brief respite in the summer of 1942, war spiralled out of control Sacrifice of the 6th Army hurt public morale Hitler myth began to decline, especially as Total War went on But…… Peaks of Optimism Goebbel’s Total War speech gave a realism that the public welcomed And evidence remained that there was a deep well of patriotism and willingness to endure hardship and sacrifice How far is it true to say that the German People becoming increasingly disillusioned with Nazi Regime between September 1939 and early 1943?

10. Read through the ‘Collapse of Hitler’s Reich’ booklet and make notes on the following questions and find evidence to support the following questions • How do many of the personal accounts of the bombing raids conflict with official SD Reports – why might this be? • Why was the defeat of the German troops in Stalingrad such an important turning point for the German War Effort • What effects did the bombing campaign have on the German people? Consider…. • Official reports • Regime Reactions to falling morale (positive and negative) • Role of Goebbels and Propaganda • Success of the RAF Bombing campaign • Women and Workers • How might you describe the last few months of 1945 of having no joy for the German people? (Regime Brutality, opposition brutality, collapse of morale)