“The Second World War had a devastating impact on the civilian population.” Discuss with reference to any two European countries.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the impact that the Second World War had on the civilian populations of any two European countries between 1939 and 1945. Specific details and content will depend upon the two countries chosen. Candidates may adopt a comparative approach if they wish, but this is not a requirement of the question. Some of the issues that may be considered include the fact that it was a war in which more civilians died than soldiers; where there was food rationing and food shortages, where civilians suffered from air raids that caused major destruction and led to many casualties. Impact may also encompass the methods by which the governments of the chosen countries controlled economic activity and the ways in which this control affected the daily lives of civilians. Some candidates may argue that there was a noticeable change in the role of women in society and there was a growing sense of national unity and support for the governments’ war efforts.