Police State Flashcards
What was Heinrich Himmler’s role in the Nazi regime?
Became head of S.S. In 1929
Head of police in 1936
Lead S.S. Leaders in holocaust
Issued scientific experiments on humans in camps
What was the role of the S.S. in the Nazi regime?
Formed in 1925
Highly trained & totally loyal to Hitler
Physically demanding tests & long-term aryan background to get in
In 1934, 50,000 members - 1936 there was 250,000
3 branches:
Kripo - general policing
Gestapo - secret police who were above law
S.S.
What was the role of the Gestapo during the Nazi regime?
Founded in 1933 as secret police
Agents wore no uniforms & led by Reinhard Hendrich
Spied on Germans & looked for threats to Nazis
Free to use any method, like:
Listening to phone calls
Opening mail
Torture & imprisonment without trial
Local ‘block leaders’ reported suspicious behaviour
How was the justice system nazified?
Judges had to swear oath of loyalty to Hitler & were expected to act in interests of Nazi state
All lawyers had to join Nazi Lawyers’ Association, which meant they could be controlled
The role of defence lawyers in criminal trials was weakened
Some trials were staged as publicity stunts
“People’s Courts” set up in 1934 to try those accused of “crimes against the state”
Standard punishments for crime abolished, so local prosecutors could decide what penalties to impose on those found guilty
Number of crimes carried death penalty increased from 3 to 46
“Protective custody” introduced for those who might commit a crime. This meant people could be arrested & interned even if they hadn’t broken law
What role did concentration camps play in the police state?
In 1933, Dachau was first camp to be opened. By 1939 there were 6
Run by Death’s Head Unit of SS, known as the SS-Totenkopfverbände (SS-TV). Many of these men were convicted murderers released specifically for this role
A wide variety of people were sent to the camps:
Many convicted criminals weren’t released at end of prison sentences but moved to concentration camps
Political opponents, like communists, as well as Jews, ministers & priests sent there
People regarded by Nazis as “asocial” also ended up in camps. Nazis classified the “work-shy”, prostitutes & homosexuals as “asocial”
What was the impact of the police state on the lives of German people?
Little opposition to Nazis - most people complied with regulations. They became fearful of being arrested for no reason, particularly as result of protective custody
Justice disappeared - many didn’t receive fair trials because of changes to defence regulations. On the other hand, convicted Nazis often had sentences quashed by intervention of Hitler
Society became more suspicious and tense - some people publically criticised or informed on their neighbours to make themselves look more loyal. Children encouraged to report on their parents & teachers
Number of criminal offences committed halved by 1939 - but number of people in prison increased. By 1939, over 600,000 in prisons or concentration camps. Many innocent people were detained as “enemies of the state”
