Weimar and Nazi Germany Topic Summaries

Life in Germany during the war

GCSE > History > CCEA > GCSE History: Weimar and Nazi Germany (1890-1945) > Germany during WWII (1939–1945) > Life in Germany during the war
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Key Terms
Early war years (1939-1941) Later war years (1942-1945)
  • The Blitzkrieg brought quick victories and increased supplies from conquered countries, so civilians initially experienced little hardship.
  • From 1939, rationing helped manage supplies, with some Germans even benefiting from healthier diets.
  • Despite Nazi ideals about women staying at home, labour shortages led to 6.2 million women working by 1939, and by 1943, women were conscripted into industry.
  • Goebbels used propaganda to maintain public morale and support for the war effort.
  • Germany’s defeat at Stalingrad marked a turning point; from 1942, cities faced devastating Allied bombing.
  • From 1943, Albert Speer redirected all industry to war production, halting civilian goods and increasing arms output.
  • By 1944, all workers had to support the war effort; women were conscripted into industry.
  • In desperation, the Nazis formed the Volkssturm in 1944 – an under-trained, poorly equipped militia of youths and older men.

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