Germany's economy and society were put under strain as the Second World War progressed.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [4] Autarky means being economically self-sufficient.
2. [4] The Nazis tried to make Germany self-sufficient so it could produce everything it needed without relying on imports.
3. [4] Autarky was promoted by Schacht as part of the 'New Plan.'
4. [4] Autarky was intended to help Germany in wartime.
5. [4] Autarky was intended to help prepare for war.
6. [6] Conditions got worse for German civilians because the German economy was put on a war footing in 1939. This affected every German civilian. Goebbels stepped up his efforts to maintain people's support for the war. He increased censorship and asked civilians to make sacrifices. This meant women, pensioners and teenagers being asked to work in the factories and on the farms because all able adult males were away fighting. The work was hard and hours were long.
7. [2-3] Conscription called up most adult males.
8. [2-3] Food rationing was introduced and food became so short people had to scavenge for something to eat.
9. [2-3] Civilians had to cut back on heating.
10. [2-3] Women were recruited to work in factories.
11. [2-3] The Final Solution was introduced.
12. [2-3] All places of entertainment were closed except cinemas.
13. [2-3] There was allied bombing.
14. [2-3] Cities such as Dresden were destroyed.
15. [2-3] There were massive casualties.
16. [2-3] There were more widows and orphans.
17. [1] Emergency measures were known as a policy of Total War.
18. [10] Even though Nazi policy towards women changed in the late 1930s it was consistent in that it was chauvinistic towards women. They were not regarded as equal to men, did not have the same opportunities as men, and well-educated women were not allowed to work or practise their professions. When women were encouraged to go to work in the late 1930s, it was to low-skilled and poorly paid positions.
19. [4-6] Nazi policies were consistent. The Nazis wanted women to get married and have lots of children, and thought that a woman should look after her husband and family. This is because they wanted to increase the birth rate and to produce more men for the army and for occupying conquered lands. Women were encouraged to stay at home and not to go out to work. They were given loans if they got married, family allowances were introduced, and women were given medals for having lots of children. Some of these policies continued in the war years when the Nazis were still trying to increase the birth rate.
20. [4-6] The Nazis changed their attitude towards women because of the war. At first, they tried to stop women going out to work. They wanted the jobs for the men and their believed a woman's place was at home looking after the family. However, during the war women were needed at work and attitudes changed. This was because men had to fight, and the Nazi policy of rearmament meant that women were needed in armaments factories. Some changes were even introduced before the war started. The marriage loan was cancelled and women had to do 'compulsory duty', such as working on a farm for a year.
21. [2-3] Hitler never changed his attitude. He did not want women to work.
22. [2-3] Women were never allowed to join combat units.
23. [2-3] The Nazis wanted women to have lots of children all through the war.
24. [2-3] Women were encouraged to go out to work later in the period.
25. [2-3] The Nazis stopped the marriage loan.
26. [2-3] The Nazis recognised that women were needed to replace men in factories and on farms.
27. [1] An ideal German woman did not have a job, did not wear make-up and stayed focused on church, children and the kitchen.