Germany at war, 1939–45 Cambridge IGCSE History revision
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In plain words
For two years the war went well, and most Germans barely felt it. Then it turned. By 1945 their cities were rubble, millions were dead or homeless, and the regime had carried out the greatest crime in modern history.
9 things to know
- 1939 to 1941: Germany won rapid victories. Food and clothing were rationed from the start, but supplies were adequate, and goods taken from the conquered countries flowed in. Morale was high.
- From 1941 the war turned. Germany invaded the USSR in June 1941, and was defeated at Stalingrad in early 1943. Casualties mounted.
- The conversion to a war economy: from 1942 Albert Speer reorganised industry to produce more weapons. In 1943 Goebbels called for "total war". Everything was directed at the war effort, and businesses that were not essential were closed.
- Millions of foreign workers and prisoners were forced to work in German factories and on farms. More German women were called into work.
- Bombing: from 1942 British and American aircraft bombed German cities by night and day. Hamburg and Dresden were devastated. Hundreds of thousands of civilians were killed, and millions lost their homes.
- By 1944 and 1945 there were severe shortages of food and fuel. Refugees fled from the advancing Soviet army. Boys and old men were called up to fight. Germany surrendered in May 1945.
- The Final Solution: the war brought millions more Jews under Nazi rule. In Poland they were forced into overcrowded ghettos. After the invasion of the USSR, special SS units shot Jews in huge numbers.
- In January 1942 senior Nazis met at Wannsee and coordinated what they called the "Final Solution": the murder of all the Jews of Europe. Death camps, such as Auschwitz, were built in occupied Poland, where people were killed in gas chambers.
- About six million Jews were murdered. This is known as the Holocaust. Roma, Soviet prisoners of war, disabled people and others were murdered too.
Worked example
Explain how the war changed life for German civilians. This is a 6-mark question.
- At first, little: from 1939 to 1941 there was rationing, but victories kept supplies and morale high.
- Then total war: from 1942 the economy was turned over to weapons, hours were longer, luxuries disappeared and women were called into work.
- Then destruction: bombing killed hundreds of thousands and made millions homeless, and by 1945 there were severe shortages, refugees and defeat.
Tips and tricks
- Divide the war into two halves for Germany: success to 1941, hardship from 1942. The defeat at Stalingrad in early 1943 marks the change.
- Write about the Holocaust precisely and soberly: ghettos, shooting squads, the Wannsee Conference in January 1942, the death camps, about six million Jews murdered.
It lands in your notebook with its questions as flashcards.
Germany at war, 1939–45: 5 questions and answers
These are the quiz’s questions. Do the quiz first, then come back here for the ones that got you.
Who reorganised German industry for the war from 1942?
Weapons production rose sharply under him.
Which battle, in early 1943, marked the turning of the war against Germany?
A whole German army was lost there.
What was decided at the Wannsee Conference in January 1942?
It is known as the "Final Solution".
About how many Jews were murdered in the Holocaust?
About two-thirds of the Jews of Europe.
Why did the war make the persecution of the Jews far worse?Stretch
The murders took place in occupied territory in the east.
Quiz
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Worksheet
3 questions, 14 marks. Write your answers on paper, then check them.
Germany at war, 1939–45
Cambridge IGCSE History 0470 · 14 marks · papermunch.org
Name ______________________________ Date ______________
What was the impact of Allied bombing on Germany?[4]
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Any four: German cities were bombed by day and night from 1942; cities such as Hamburg and Dresden were devastated; hundreds of thousands of civilians were killed; millions were made homeless; factories and transport were damaged; children were evacuated from the cities.
What was the "Final Solution"?[4]
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It was the Nazi plan to murder all the Jews of Europe. It was coordinated at the Wannsee Conference in January 1942. Jews were transported to death camps, such as Auschwitz, in occupied Poland. About six million Jews were murdered.
Why did Germany convert to a war economy from 1942?[6]
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The quick victories of 1939 to 1941 had ended, and Germany faced a long war against the USSR, Britain and the USA, which together could produce far more weapons. Losses on the Eastern Front were heavy. Speer was appointed to reorganise industry so that all resources went to the war effort, and Goebbels called for total war after the defeat at Stalingrad.
Answers: Germany at war, 1939–45
- 1. Any four: German cities were bombed by day and night from 1942; cities such as Hamburg and Dresden were devastated; hundreds of thousands of civilians were killed; millions were made homeless; factories and transport were damaged; children were evacuated from the cities.
- 2. It was the Nazi plan to murder all the Jews of Europe. It was coordinated at the Wannsee Conference in January 1942. Jews were transported to death camps, such as Auschwitz, in occupied Poland. About six million Jews were murdered.
- 3. The quick victories of 1939 to 1941 had ended, and Germany faced a long war against the USSR, Britain and the USA, which together could produce far more weapons. Losses on the Eastern Front were heavy. Speer was appointed to reorganise industry so that all resources went to the war effort, and Goebbels called for total war after the defeat at Stalingrad.