Germany, 1918–1945 – The impact of War, 1939–1945 (A-level only):…

The idea

The war profoundly altered German society, with the regime using rationing, propaganda, and indoctrination to maintain morale. Rationing began in 1939, causing resentment as shortages worsened. Goebbels' propaganda shifted from early triumphalism to calls for 'Total War' after Stalingrad, attempting to sustain morale despite casualties. The war's impact varied across social groups. Traditional elites faced a loss of influence, prompting some to resist. Workers endured longer hours and frozen wages. Women were increasingly conscripted into the workforce, contradicting Nazi ideology. Youth faced intensified indoctrination and military conscription through the Hitler Youth, though some formed opposition groups like the Edelweiss Pirates.

What earns the marks

• Assess the effectiveness of rationing in maintaining civilian health and morale during the early versus late stages of the war.
• Evaluate how propaganda and indoctrination adapted to military defeats, such as the shift to 'Total War' rhetoric following Stalingrad.
• Analyse the changing role of women, contrasting the ideological ideal of the 'Kinder, Küche, Kirche' with the practical necessity of female conscription into war industries.
• Examine the varied experiences of youth, contrasting the intensified indoctrination of the Hitler Youth with the emergence of non-conformist groups.
• Discuss the alienation of the traditional elites, culminating in active resistance such as the July 1944 bomb plot.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Claiming that rationing only began late in the war.

  Put it right: Rationing was actually introduced in August 1939, before the invasion of Poland.

• Stating that women were immediately conscripted into factories in 1939.

  Put it right: Widespread conscription of women was delayed until 1943 due to ideological reluctance.

• Assuming morale remained uniformly high until 1945.

  Put it right: Morale fluctuated significantly, declining sharply after the defeat at Stalingrad in 1943.

Exam tips

• Use specific turning points, such as the defeat at Stalingrad in 1943, to explain shifts in propaganda and civilian morale.
• Contrast the ideological goals of the Nazi regime with the pragmatic compromises forced upon them by the war, particularly regarding women.
• When discussing the impact on workers, differentiate between the experiences of skilled essential workers and those in non-essential industries.