Nazi Germany at War Key Question: Why go to war? Session Objectives Impact of the Second World War on Germany and reasons for defeat:  Social and economic impact. The war economy, employment; impact of war on the lives of German citizens  reasons for ultimate defeat: balance of economic and military forces, war production and failures to maximise potential, Allied bombing, poor political and strategic decision-making by Hitler e.g. thedeclaration of war on the USA, obsession with the offensive etc. (examples only not comprehensive coverage)

Rule by terror How did the SS emerge? P (229) What were the main functions of the SS? How powerful do yout hink the SS was (use evidence from p.233)

Resistance Resistance ultimately failed Communists- Largely ineffectual 17% vote 1932, repressed by Nazis from day one. Inflitrated by Gestapo following mass communist arrests. Underground movement remained. Let down by Nazi-Soviet Pact 1939-41. Groups isolated. Sent some info back to Moscow. Students- The White Rose Group- Started in Munich. Quicjly shut down and its 6 leaders killed Conservative Elites- Resistance formed around Army. Effective resistance began following Military failings in El Alamein and Stalingrad. Failed bomb plot July 1944. Ultimately lacked direction and coordinated support from the army.

Military defeat Why was Germany so successful 1939-1941? What was Hitler’s stage by stage plan? What rapid gains did Hitler make? Was Germany destined to fail from the start? What were the early stages of the war and how significant were they? Initial Victories Phoney War Battle of Britain Low countries anf France Operation Barbossa What were the reasons for Germany’s early success? What was the turn of the tide and how important was it? Why couldn’t Germany resist the allied advance? Why was Germany forced to surrender?

Germany’s defeat Create a poster that explains the key reasons for the Nazis defeat in the war. Did Germany have to lose the war?

The Home Front Write a diary extract that explains the key problems with life in the Home Front in Nazi Germany, include Living standards Working conditions Effect of war (death and injuries) Morale Resistance

Germany 1945- Destroyed? Population Displacement Urban Destruction Economic dislocation Food and fuel shortages Write a brief note, no more than 3 sentences. Which one of these factors do you think was the most important problem facing Germany in 1945?

Economic policies of Nazi Germany To understand the manipulation of the economy by the Nazis

Describe the economic situation in Germany in the early 1930’s. Read Chapter 11 (p.97 – 106) and make detailed notes based on the following key questions: Introduction Describe the economic situation in Germany in the early 1930’s. Recovery 1933 – 1936 How did the Nazis tackle the problem of unemployment? Work Schemes State Investment How successful were these attempts to reduce unemployment? Hjalmar Schacht and the New Plan Who was Schacht and how important was his role in economic recovery? What was the 1934 New Plan? 1936 – 39 Rearmament or Consumption? What was Hitler’s long – term objective for the economy? What problems could prevent this from happening? What did Schacht decide to do in 1936? What responsibility was Goring given in April 1936? The Second Four Year Plan 1936 – 40 What was this plan based on? What happened to Schacht? How did Goring try to improve the production of essential war goods? How successful was the policy of self-sufficiency? The Economy1939 – 45 How much did military expenditure increase from 1939 to 1942? .How did the Nazis deal with the labour shortage during the war? Foreign Workers Women How did the move to total war in 1943 affect the German war economy?

German economy The Second Four Year Plan 1936 – 40 What was this plan based on? What happened to Schacht? How did Goring try to improve the production of essential war goods? How successful was the policy of self-sufficiency? The Economy1939 – 45 How much did military expenditure increase from 1939 to 1942? .How did the Nazis deal with the labour shortage during the war? Foreign Workers Women How did the move to total war in 1943 affect the German war economy?

Revision Revision techniques Plotting the key factors Mind maps Handouts Practice essays Posters Quizzes Profiles of main Nazi leaders