Police State 1933-39 Flashcards
What was the SS? When were they set up? When did Himmler take over? How did membership increase and what system was within the SS?
The SS was set up in 1925 as a bodyguard for Hitler. They would wear black and swore allegiance to Hitler.
By 1929 they worked for Himmler.
Those who opposed them would be removed. By 1934 there were 50000 members. The SS had to marry racially pure women to show obedience.
The SD, (Security Service), founded within the SS to maintain security within the party.
What was the gestapo? Who were they led by? What did they do?
These were the secret police, led by Goering in 1933. The Gestapo were taken over by Himmler in 1936 and would control Germans, arresting those who were against the state using terror. By 1939, 160,000 were arrested.
Describe key features of the legal system.
Some judges were removed.
National Socialist League for the Maintenance of Law - set up to keep Nazi judges adhering to Gleichaltung.
German Lawyer’s Front, October 1933. 10,000 members by December.
1934 - People’s Court - headed by a Minister of Justice who would ensure those guilty of treason would be punished correctly for this. Judges couldn’t be too lenient!
What were key features of concentration camps? Who were sent?
Jews - a rise was seen after Kristallnacht.
Political prisoners - trade unionists and opponents of the Nazis.
Sexual offenders.
Professional Criminals - people such as burglars and murderers.
Work shy - vagabonds, alcoholics, Gypsies, and tramps.
Foreign forced labour groups - consisted of non-German ethnic groups who were seen as racially inferior and a threat to Nazi regime
Religious groups - Bibelsforcher.
First camps were set up in 1933 including Dachau and Saschenhausen. Those who were killed would have letters sent to their homes stating that they died of disease or were shot trying to escape.
People used to extract raw materials and as slave labour.
