The impact of war on the German people

The war made an impact on the German people in four main areas.

A list of ways that the Second World War began to impact on the German people

Rationing

Initially, everyday life in Germany did not seem too affected by the war.

Rationing was deliberately kept to a minimum. Hitler knew cut-backs during World War One had led to political unrest, so he ordered restriction should be kept to a minimum.

Consumer goods brought from France, after it was defeated by Germany in June 1940, helped reduce shortages.

However, autarky and rearmament meant consumer goods were already expensive and scarce before the war.

Although the main restrictions were not until 1942, there were some problems early in the war.

Food was rationed immediately in 1939, although Germans did not experience chronic shortages until 1944.

The Germans’ diet became more monotonous, with lots of bread, potatoes and preserves.

There were meat shortages due to lack of imports from the USA. Meat rations dropped from 750 grams per week in 1939 to 250 grams per week in 1945.

Extra rations were given to people considered important to the war effort, such as workers in heavy industries. There was also extra food for pregnant women and blood donors.

The Jews' food entitlements were set below that of the Aryans.

Parks and gardens were dug up to make vegetable patches.

Food consumption per person fell 25 per cent by 1941.

Clothing, rationed from November 1939 onwards, was in such short supply that Nazi officials raided houses if they thought there were surplus items, particularly shoes.

There was a shortage of coal, which was most serious during the exceptionally cold winter of 1939-1940. To save fuel, people were only allowed warm water twice per week.

Rationing led to a flourishing black market. Luxury clothes and perfume were readily available for the rich.

Shortages meant many shop-windows displayed goods for “decoration only”. Dairies displayed rows of milk bottles filled with white salt to make it appear they contained milk.

In general, rationing was accepted with little opposition, especially as food rations were reasonably generous until the middle of the war. Indeed, some people ate better during the war.

However, in the last year of the war, ration cards were no longer honoured and shortages of food and clothing were severe.