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Daily Life in Nazi-Occupied Europe provides readers with information about political and military affairs, economic life, religious life, intellectual life, and other aspects of daily life in those countries occupied by Nazi Germany during World War II.
By the end of 1940, the Nazis controlled most of Europe, and in 1941 they invaded the Soviet Union to complete their mission of domination. The pattern of human resistance to the occupation was equally widespread-in every country, at least a significant minority of the population fought for human dignity. Why did so many risk their lives and refuse to accept defeat?
This book goes beyond the impact of the occupation on different European countries, examining that impact on individuals who, regardless of what country they lived in, faced a desperate search for food and the constant threat of death. This volume is intended to help readers to see the variety of struggles that contributed to the defeat of the oppressive occupation imposed by the Nazis. Readers will come away with an appreciation of the fact that there were as many types of daily lives as there were individuals under the occupation and that every person in the war had a unique experience.
List of contents
Preface
Introduction
Timeline
Glossary
1. POLITICAL LIFE
Introduction
Weimar Republic
Treaty of Versailles
Adolf Hitler
Mein KampfElections in 1932
End of Democracy in Germany
Book Burning
Rearmament
Appeasement
Austria
Czechoslovakia and the Munich Pact
Danzig, Poland
Stalin
Nazi-Soviet Pact
Political Life of Poland
Occupation of Poland
Political Life of France
Vichy
The Netherlands
Occupation of The Netherlands
Political Life of USSR
Political Life of Belgium, Greece, Yugoslavia
Conclusion
2. MILITARY LIFE
Introduction
1938
Hitler Demands Danzig
Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact
War: Poland
Phony War
Spring Offensive
Battle of France
France Surrenders
Battle of Britain
Trouble in the Balkans
Soviet Union
Invasion
Reaction
Leningrad
Moscow
Stalingrad
North Africa and Italy
From Stalingrad to D-Day
D-Day
Occupied Countries
Weapons
Conclusion
3. ECONOMIC LIFE
Introduction
Irrational Economics
German Economics, Racism, War Planning
Blitzkrieg and Economics
Germany Moves West
War with the Soviet Union
Defeat in Russia and Occupation Policies in Europe
Occupation: Forced Labor
Fritz Sauckel
Economic Life: Soviet Union
Crime: Soviet Union
Agriculture: Soviet Union
Food: Soviet Union
Trade and Supply: Soviet Union
Industry and Labor: Soviet Union
Urban Life: Leningrad
Leningrad Diaries
Why Did Germany Lose, and Why Did the Allies Win?
Inevitable?
4. DOMESTIC AND MATERIAL LIFE
Introduction
Germany
Poland
France
Various Countries
The Soviet Union
Testimonies
Conclusion
5. Intellectual Life
Introduction
Germany
France
The Netherlands
Greece
Poland
Soviet Union
Monuments Men
Atomic Bomb
France
Poland
Conclusion
6. RECREATIONAL LIFE
Introduction
The Politics of Sports
Entertainment in Germany
France
Poland
Soviet Union
Conclusion
7. RELIGIOUS LIFE
Introduction
Germany
Poland
France
Norway
Soviet Union
Belgium
The Netherlands
Croatia and Slovakia
Conclusion
8. RESISTANCE LIFE
Introduction
Germany
France
Belgium
Czechoslovakia
The Netherlands
Poland
Soviet Union
Conclusion
9. THE HOLOCAUST
Introduction
Germany
Poland
The Netherlands
Anne Frank
France
Denmark
Bulgaria
Soviet Union
Croatia and Serbia
Greece
Hungary
Conclusion
Appendix A: Films about World War II
Appendix B: Museums Visited
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Harold J. Goldberg is David E. Underdown Distinguished Professor of History at the University of the South, USA, in Sewanee, TN.
