Living under Nazi Rule, 1933-1945 Study Guide

When Germany went to war in September 1939, it dramatically altered life for its citizens. Initially, Hitler's Blitzkrieg successes brought a sense of triumph and allowed the regime to continue its 'guns and butter' policy, maintaining civilian morale by not imposing severe rationing. However, as the war progressed, particularly after the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941 and the entry of the USA in December 1941, the war became a total war, demanding ever-increasing sacrifices from the German people. Rationing became much stricter, and the workforce was mobilised more extensively, with women increasingly conscripted into factories and services. Bombing campaigns by the Allies, particularly after 1942, devastated German cities, leading to mass displacement, destruction of homes, and significant civilian casualties. This aerial warfare had a profound psychological impact, leading to a decline in morale, although state propaganda worked hard to maintain support and demonise the enemy. The 'Final Solution' and the Holocaust also intensified during this period, with the German population implicitly and explicitly involved through various means, from participation in atrocities to benefiting from stolen Jewish property. As the war turned against Germany, the pressure on the home front became immense. Food shortages, lack of fuel, and the constant threat of air raids meant that daily life was a struggle for survival. The Nazi regime responded with increased repression, using the Gestapo and SS to crush dissent and maintain control. The myth of Hitler's invincibility crumbled, and by 1945, many Germans were simply hoping for the war to end, regardless of the cost.