The Nazi economy and WW2
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe how the Second World War affected Nazi Germany and its economy.
Key learning points
- Hitler’s rearmament and economic self-sufficiency prepared Germany for a war economy before 1939.
- Early victories brought rewards, but defeats in Russia and U.S. entry in 1941 changed the war's course.
- Speer’s Total War policy prioritised weapons over civilians, relying heavily on forced labour.
- Rationing, shortages, and bombings led to hunger, homelessness, and a collapse in German morale.
- By 1945, Germany’s economy was ruined, cities destroyed, and millions of civilians displaced.
Keywords
Total War - a type of war where the entire country is involved; all people, soldiers and civilians, must contribute; the government redirects the whole economy, industry, and society to support the war effort
Labour - work, especially physical work done for wages
Rationing - a system where the government controls how much food, fuel, or goods each person can have during shortages; everyone gets a fixed amount to ensure fair distribution
Refugees - people forced to flee their homes due to war, danger, or disaster, often with nowhere to go
Morale - the emotional and psychological state of a person or group; it reflects levels of confidence, hope, or despair, especially during dangerous or difficult situations
Common misconception
Students may believe Germany fully mobilised its population, including women, like the Allies did.
Nazi ideology restricted women's roles in industry, despite labour shortages.
Teacher tip
Moral Dilemma Circle: Pose the central question: “What contemporary moral debates surrounded the area bombing of German cities?” Students form an inner and outer circle — inner identify contemporary arguments ‘for’, outer argue ‘against’, then switch. Use real bombing stats to support arguments.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What was the main aim of Nazi labour policies between 1933 and 1939?
Q2.Which of the following best defines the term “labour”?
Q3.The German Labour Front (DAF) was a Nazi organisation that replaced trade {} and removed workers’ right to strike.
Q4.What was the purpose of 'Strength Through Joy' (KdF)?
Q5.Why did some workers appreciate the Labour Front despite its limitations?
Q6.Why did no workers ever receive a Volkswagen car, despite paying into the savings scheme?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What major event in 1941 weakened Germany’s position in the war?
Q2.Match each term to its correct definition:
the feelings or spirit of people during a difficult period
fixed amounts of food or supplies given during shortages
when all parts of the economy are mobilised for the military effort
Q3.By 1944, over 7 million workers—many from conquered countries—had been brought to Germany to work as labour.
Q4.Why did the Nazi regime avoid using women more widely in heavy industry?
Q5.Which of the following were effects of Allied bombing on Germany?
Q6.Which statement best explains why Germany did not fully mobilise women into industrial work during the war?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The Nazi economy and WW2, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The Nazi economy and WW2, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Germany 1890–1945, Democracy and dictatorship unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.