Nazi Germany: Control and Opposition in Nazi Germany

Question 1

What was the SS

Answer 1

Led by Heinrich Himmler. Most important out of the three organisations. the SS set up Concentration camps

Question 2

What was the Gestapo

Answer 2

Nazi Secret police force. Himmler led it. Its job was to monitor German population for signs of opposition to Nazis. Listened to telephone calls, intercepted letters and encouraged ordinary Germans to inform on fellow citizens

Question 3

what was the SD

Answer 3

Intelligence-gathering agency of the SS. Responsible for security of Hitler and other top Nazis. Led by Reinhard Heydrich

Question 4

What was the People’s Courts

Answer 4

1934 seen establishment of People's Courts
Judge swore an oath of loyalty to Hitler
No juries
Crimes carrying death penalty rose from 3 to 46

Question 5

What were concentration camps

Answer 5

1933 Dachau first camp to be opened. By 1939 there were six
Many convicted criminals not released at end of prison sentences but moved to concentration camps
political opponents like communists, Jew, minister and priests
people regarded by Nazis as “asocial” also ended up in these camps (Homosexuals and prostitutes)

Question 6

Impact of Police state

Answer 6

Little opposition to Nazis. Most people complied with regulations. became fearful of arrest for no reason
Society more suspicious and tense
Justice disappeared
Number of criminal offences committed was halved by 1939

Question 7

What did the Nazis do in terms of Propaganda and Censorship

Answer 7

Burned old books
Banned Jewish songs
Sold cheap radios that broadcast Hitler Speeches
Nuremberg rallies organised yearly
1936 Olympic games used to show how much Germany recovered from world war 1.
Banned foreign broadcasts

Question 8

Successes of Propaganda and Censorship

Answer 8

Propaganda helped reinforce existing beliefs
Mein Kampf become bestseller as people thought it was good to display loyalty
Weekly Nazi newsreels, showing in cinemas before film, and loudspeakers in cafe and workplaces

Question 9

Failures of Propaganda and Censorship

Answer 9

Propaganda was less successful at getting people to accept new ideas
quality of much of culture was also poor as well as entertainment
Some musicians, artists, actors and writer left Germany