Terror in Nazi Germany Flashcards
Who were the SS created by? Consisted of?
- Created by: Adolf Hitler
- Consisted of: Aryan men, yet became less picky as war started
When were the SS created? Numbers?
- Created when: 1939
- Numbers: Unknown
Aims of the SS?
Aimed to cleanse Germany of the ‘untermenschen’, or ‘sub-humans’. In the end they ended up playing part in the torture and murder of about 12 million people.
What was Himmler’s intent regarding SS and the police?
Himmler’s intent was a complete fusion of the SS and the German police and utilise the executive authority of the police to impose the Nazi ideals.
What was the Einsatzgruppen?
The death squad, a branch of the SS, formed only when needed. They officially came into being in 1939 and were preceded by the Einsatzkommando.
How many deaths are the Einsatzgruppen approximately responsible for?
Raul Hilberg estimates 2 million
What were Einsatzgruppen’s purpose?
To ‘enter occupied areas, seize vital records, and neutralise potential threats’. This meant murdering all people Hitler deemed ‘unfit’. Played a vital part in the Final Solution.
Who were targeted by the Einsatzgruppen?
Included Jews, Soviet state/Communist party officials, gypsies, and people who were either mentally or physically disabled.
What were the S.A also known as?
Stormtroopers, Brownshirts, Sturm abteilung
Who were the S.A created by? Lead by who?
Created by Hitler. Lead by Ernst Rohm.
S.A numbers? When were they created and who did they consist of?
- Numbers by 1934: 2,000,000
- Created in 1921 and consisted of ex-Freikorps members
Why was Hitler concerned w/the S.A by 1934?
By 1934 Hitler was worried by the size and influence of the SA.
What were the S.A along military lines?
Along military lines, described as ‘Hitler’s Private Army’. They would protect Nazi Speakers, such as Hitler.
What did the SA do at rallies? What did this help do?
- They would march, sing, play drums and carry banners/flags. It helped promote a strong, proud Nazi identity during tough times.
- It helped promote a strong, proud Nazi identity during tough time
How did the S.A interact with opposition?
Would disrupt the meetings of political opponents. This would discredit and intimidate them and would also frighten opposition voters during election periods.
Who did the S.A often target?
They would often target Jews and Communists.
What was Heydrich’s nickname? When did he join?
Known as: The hangman
Date Joined: Part of the original freikorps
What was Heydrich’s part in the Final Solution?
Chaired the January 1942 Wannsee Conference, which formalised plans for the Final Solution.
What was Heydrich’s main position?
Heydrich served as president of the International Criminal Police Commission, later known as Interpol
Himmler + The SS?
Made head Of SS. Main task was to protect Hitler. The gestapo became a terror symbol for the Hitlers non-supporters. Through the terror of the Gestapo and Himmler’s role in the order, this limited the amount of people who spoke out against Hitler
How was Himmler involved with the Holocaust?
The idea of the holocaust was Himmler’s and it was him who controlled the camps as well as him who formed the SS and was leader of the inner and outer police including the Gestapo.
Why did Himmler design the Holocaust?
The Jews were used as a scapegoat for Germany’s problems and antisemitism was a part of Nazi culture. To solve this problem, Himmler designed the holocaust. However it wasn’t just jews put into concentration camps but enemies to the Nazi party, anyone who speaks against them or anyone who goes against the views of the party.
What did the Nazi court system consist of?
Sondergericht, People’s Courts, Roland Freisler (Reich Ministry of Justice)
Outline the People’s Court
The People’s Court, which operated outside of the constitutional frame of law was created in 1934 in response to the Reichstag fire because Hitler was dissatisfied that all but one of the defendants were acquitted.
