Role of Prominent Individuals in Nazi State

Question 1

Joseph Goebbels

Ministry of Propaganda and Enlightenment which operated from 1933 to 1945.

Answer 1

• Goebbels joined the Nazi Party in 1922
• Responsible for planning and executing Nazi campaigns between 1930 and 1932

When Hitler became Chancellor, Goebbels began the Ministry of Propaganda and Enlightenment which operated from 1933 to 1945.

• This meant Goebbels was instrumental in the rise of Hitler due to his powerful propaganda and censorship
• Goebbels was violently anti-Semitic and was a prime organizer of Kristallnacht (1938) which was the first public nationwide coordinated attack against the German Jewish community.

Question 2

Herman Goering

Reichsmarschall in 1939. Second in command 6 to Hitler.

Reichsmarschall (Highest rank in the army)

Answer 2

Goering was an early follower of Hitler who took part in the Beer Hall Putsch and was a popular and influential figure in Germany.

• Goering was given the task of building up the Gestapo and the Luftwaffe
• He served as the Reichsmarschall (Highest rank in army) in 1939 and was second in command 6 to Hitler.

Goering directed a 4 year plan from 1936-1940 for Herman Goering to prepare Germany for war as well as setting up the Goering Steel Works to boost the economy.

• Goering slowly fell out of favour with Hitler who blamed him for the failure to defeat the allies. He was eventually captured by the allies and sentenced to death in 1946 at Nuremberg.

Question 3

Heinrich himmler

Command of the SS where he initiated a terror state.

Answer 3

Himmler was a ruthless character who joined the Nazi Party in 1923.

• From 1929, he was put in command of the recently formed SS where he initiated a terror state.
• His influence grew over the years making him one of the most powerful men in Germany by 1934.

Part of the acceleration of his power was due to his key role in the Night of Long Knives and his involvement with the Gestapo.

• Hitler placed Himmler in charge of setting up and supervising the death camps where at least 6 million people were murdered.

In 1945, as it became apparent Germany was losing the war, Himmler deserted Hitler and fled to try and make a deal with the allies yet he was captured by the Americans and committed suicide.

Question 4

Reinhard Heydrich

Chief of the Security Services (SD) and the Gestapo

Answer 4

Heydrich was a chief of the Security Services (SD) and the Gestapo.

• He was a prominent figure in organizing major events such as the 1936 Olympic Games and Kristallnacht.
• In 1939, he established task forces called the Einsatzgruppen to hunt the Jewish people and place them in Ghettos.

By 1941, he was appointed the Deputy Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia Reinhard Heydrich (Czechoslovakia) where he initiated a cruel dictatorship which resulted in significant loss of life.

• By 1941, he was appointed the Deputy Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia Reinhard Heydrich (Czechoslovakia) where he initiated a cruel dictatorship which resulted in significant loss of life.
• Ultimately he was assassinated by Czech freedom fighters in 1942.

Question 5

Other prominent individuals

Answer 5

• Reinhardt Heydrich:

Joined Nazi 1931.
Headed SD. Drew up death list for Night of the Long Knives. Assisted takeover of Austria and Czechoslovakia. Helped design ‘final solution’. Killed by Czech resistance fighters in 1942

• Rudolf Hess:

Fought in WW1. Joined Nazis 1920. Took part in Munich Putsch.Became deputy Nazi party leader. Went to Britain to negotiate peace deal in 1941, taken as POW, jailed in Britain then Germany till death, 1981.

• Martin Bormann:

Joined Nazis 1924. Became SA leader. Replaced Hess as head of Nazi Party Chancellery. Controlled legislation and promotions. Expanded slave labour. Disappeared end of war.

• Ernst Rohm:

Badly wounded in WW1. Became leader of SA. Executed on Night of long knives.

• Gregor Strasser:

Fought in WW1. Joined Nazis 1922. Took part in Munich Putsch. Built Nazi party whilst Hitler jailed. Disagreed with Hitler, wanted a more socialist then racial focus for the party. Built Nazi election strategies that contributed to successes after 1930’s. Executed In Night of Long Knifes.

• Julius Streicher:

Fought in WW1. Joined Nazis 1922. Took part in Munich Putsch. Became Nazi Governor of Franconia ( a german province). Published magazine, Der Sturmer, sold half a million copies weekly and contributed greatly to anti Semitism.