Pressures on the Home Front Flashcards

In wartime Germany, what did people mean by the "home front"?

The lives and work of civilians who supported the war away from the fighting.

What did Goebbels call for in his 1943 "Total War" speech?

He called for every person and resource to be used for the war effort.

How did "Total War" affect working hours?

Working hours were made longer.

How did "Total War" affect leisure?

Many cinemas, clubs and other leisure places closed or cut hours.

What was the blackout and why was it used?

People covered lights at night to stop enemy aircraft finding targets.

What was Kinderlandverschickung (KLV)?

An evacuation scheme that sent children from cities to the countryside for safety.

How did the Hitler Youth help on the home front?

They collected scrap, helped on farms and did civil defence tasks.

Who were the Block wardens (Blockleiter)?

Local Nazi officials who checked homes, enforced rules like the blackout and reported disloyalty.

How did propaganda try to keep morale up at home?

Radio, films and posters praised sacrifice and stressed duty and hope.

What was expected of women by 1943?

Many were directed into war work or civil defence roles.

What was the Volkssturm formed in 1944?

A militia of boys and older men raised to defend Germany late in the war.

What were salvage campaigns?

Drives to collect metal, paper and other waste for reuse in war production.

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