4 - Terror state and Nazi Justice Flashcards
What was the structure of the terror state??
Is an image so might not be clear
How was the terror state maintained??
The Gestapo were a key and probably the most important in keeping the terror state. The courts were as well.
What is the background of the Gestapo??
Small organisations 20,000 members in 1939 and most were office based not field agents. Set up in Prussia but covered whole country under Nazis. They were not Nazi party members but professional police officers who saw their loyalty was to the state.
How did the Gestapo maintain the terror state??
With 20,000 in 1939 they relied on informers. Activists of the Nazi Party were told to spy on neighbours and workmates. Each block had a “block leader” and reported any suspiscious activity. Most info came from voluntary tips usually based off of personal grudges not political loyalty.
What was the result of the Gestapos work??
Couldnt investigate the mass amount if info so they resorted to arbitary arrest and preventitive custody. This means they maintained a atmosphere of fear and suspicion. Political debate and criticism was silenced and people believed agents were everywhere and acted accordingly.
What were courts like before Hindenburgs death??
Judges and lawyers were usually conservative but little were actually Nazis in Jan 1933. Freedom from political interference was big problem as SS and SA actions were clearly illegal and persecutions against Stormtroopers were happening.
Also angered Hitler that all but 1 of those allegedly involved in the reichstag fire were aquitted. Clear reform was needed for Nazi power.
What were the courts like after Hidenburgs death??
In April 1933, associations of Judges and lawyers with the League of National Socialist Lawyers creating the front of german law. It was made clear that career prospects relied on supporting the regime.
Peoples court was set up in April 1934 to run alongside normal courts. Had 3 Nazi Judges and 2 normal Judges. No juries and defendants couldnt appeal their sentence. With these along with threats lawyers and judges fell into line.
Between 1934 - 1939 - 3400 people tried by peoples court and most got the death penalty.
