What was the main purpose of the 'Total War' speech announced by Goebbels in February 1943?

Prepare for the iGCSE History Test on Germany. Study with comprehensive flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

The main purpose of the 'Total War' speech delivered by Joseph Goebbels in February 1943 was to rally the German population around the idea that everyone needed to contribute to the war effort through significant sacrifices. In this speech, Goebbels emphasized that the survival of the nation depended on the commitment of every citizen to support the war in a fully mobilized manner. He called for all available resources to be allocated to the war effort and for all citizens, regardless of their role in society, to participate actively in aiding the military.

This call to total mobilization reflected the desperate situation Germany faced at that point in World War II, particularly after defeats on the Eastern Front. It aimed to instill a sense of urgency and collective responsibility among the population to unify them in the struggle for the nation’s survival. The concept of 'Total War' signified that the war was not just a military endeavor but required the involvement of all aspects of society, including industry, agriculture, and even civilian energy and morale.

The other options are less relevant to the central theme of Goebbels' speech. Encouraging international diplomacy was not aligned with Nazi strategies at that time, which focused on aggressive military campaigns. Reinforcing Nazi ideology was a broader goal but

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