Charlotte Holdstock
History essay plan –
“The German economy was successfully adapted to meet the demands of war before 1945”
Assess the validity of this view
For Against
1)The work of Albert Speer massively 1) Hitler’s 4 Year Plan counted on the war
helped the economy during the war years – starting later than it did as he did not
in summer 1941 there was need for more expect other European countries to declare
radicalisation of industrial production and war as early as they did – This meant he
there was no action taken to solve these was not properly prepared and therefore
underlying issues. When Speer replaced when war hit and imports and exports etc
Todt, proper action started to take place. became more difficult and less people were
Under his direction, rationalisation of the working since they had to go to the military
production of armaments involved greater forces, the economy was unable to properly
use of mass production techniques and adapt. Germany did not fully mobilise until
measures to keep factories operating 24 1942 and before this there were shortages
hours a day. Led to a ‘production miracle’ of weapons and equipment. This was
with aircraft production increasing by 200% worsened due to the stretching of supply
between 1941 and 43 and tank production lines when they were attacking further into
by 250% the Mediterranean and Russia. Luftwaffe
expansion due to be done by 1942 and the
build-up of the navy by 1944-45.
Competing demands of different sections of
the armed forces. Highly skilled labour
required and despite the growth of labour
force in armaments from 21% to 55%, the
supply of weapons grew relatively slowly.
Short on workers due to local gauleiters
also who refused to let their workers move
due to fear of losing employment in their
area
2) Mobilisation of the work force – Decree 2) Foreign labour not used to its full
for the Comprehensive Deployment of Men potential due to the horrific conditions –
and Women for Reich Defence tasks which the desperation meant the workers were
made committee to oversee the forced to work non-stop until they
mobilisation of the work force. Any small collapsed in terrible conditions whilst being
businesses that weren’t essential to the war under-nourished and mistreated. Couldn’t
effort were closed and all men ages 16-65 hide from bombings etc. These workers
and all women aged 17-45 had to register were therefore incredibly unproductive and
for war work. Work force seems to have yet they made up a quarter of the work
done well to increase production levels. force. By 1944 there were 7 million foreign
55%-61% of workforce in war related workers in Germany
projects from 1941 – 1944.
History essay plan –
“The German economy was successfully adapted to meet the demands of war before 1945”
Assess the validity of this view
For Against
1)The work of Albert Speer massively 1) Hitler’s 4 Year Plan counted on the war
helped the economy during the war years – starting later than it did as he did not
in summer 1941 there was need for more expect other European countries to declare
radicalisation of industrial production and war as early as they did – This meant he
there was no action taken to solve these was not properly prepared and therefore
underlying issues. When Speer replaced when war hit and imports and exports etc
Todt, proper action started to take place. became more difficult and less people were
Under his direction, rationalisation of the working since they had to go to the military
production of armaments involved greater forces, the economy was unable to properly
use of mass production techniques and adapt. Germany did not fully mobilise until
measures to keep factories operating 24 1942 and before this there were shortages
hours a day. Led to a ‘production miracle’ of weapons and equipment. This was
with aircraft production increasing by 200% worsened due to the stretching of supply
between 1941 and 43 and tank production lines when they were attacking further into
by 250% the Mediterranean and Russia. Luftwaffe
expansion due to be done by 1942 and the
build-up of the navy by 1944-45.
Competing demands of different sections of
the armed forces. Highly skilled labour
required and despite the growth of labour
force in armaments from 21% to 55%, the
supply of weapons grew relatively slowly.
Short on workers due to local gauleiters
also who refused to let their workers move
due to fear of losing employment in their
area
2) Mobilisation of the work force – Decree 2) Foreign labour not used to its full
for the Comprehensive Deployment of Men potential due to the horrific conditions –
and Women for Reich Defence tasks which the desperation meant the workers were
made committee to oversee the forced to work non-stop until they
mobilisation of the work force. Any small collapsed in terrible conditions whilst being
businesses that weren’t essential to the war under-nourished and mistreated. Couldn’t
effort were closed and all men ages 16-65 hide from bombings etc. These workers
and all women aged 17-45 had to register were therefore incredibly unproductive and
for war work. Work force seems to have yet they made up a quarter of the work
done well to increase production levels. force. By 1944 there were 7 million foreign
55%-61% of workforce in war related workers in Germany
projects from 1941 – 1944.
