The 'police state' Flashcards
How was the SS linked with the state despite being separate from developing its own identity and structure?
Dominance of police matters
When did the SS form?
1925
How many members did the SS have before Himmler became its leader?
250 members
How many members were there in the SS in 1933?
52,000
What was the reputation of the SS?
Blind obedience and total commitment to the Nazi cause
In 1931, what did Himmler create?
A special security service, SD
What was the SD to act as?
The party’s own internal security police
In 1933-4 Himmler assumed control of what?
All the police in the Lander, including the Gestapo in Prussia
What was one of the rewards for the June 1934 purge?
Became an independent organisation within the party
What happened to all police powers in 1939?
All police powers were unified under Himmler’s control as Reichsfuhrer SS and Chief of all German Police, including Gestapo
In 1939, all party and state police organisations involving police and security matters were amalgamated into the what?
RSHA
RSHA was overseen by who?
Himmler
RSHA was overseen by Himmsler, but actually co-ordinated by who?
His deputy, Heydrich
What were the four main functions that the SS-Police system served?
Intelligence gathering by the SD
Policing by the Gestapo and the Kripo
Disciplining opposition
Military action by the first units of the Waffen SS
Explain intelligence gathering by the SD
Responsible for all intelligence and security
Controlled by its leader, Heydrich, but still part of SS
All responsibilities grew as occupied lands spread
Explain the reputation of policing by the Gestapo and Kripo
Rep for brutality and could arrest and detain anyone without trial, e.g. mass arrest of socialists and Communists
Thoroughness and effectiveness has been questioned
Define Kripo
Criminal police responsible for the maintenance of general law and order e.g. dealing with asocials and thieves
Explain disciplining the opposition
Torture chambers and concentration camps created in early 1933 to deal with pol. opp. e.g. socialists, communists
1936 no. of inmates limited to about 6,000
No. inmates increased when Nazis began to formalise system of concentration camps, rounded up those who did not conform
No. grew to 21,000 by 1939
Explain military action by the first units of the Waffen SS
Up to 1938, consisted of around 14,000 soldiers in 3 units who were racially pure, fanatically loyal and committed to Nazi ideology. Its influence grew rapidly, significantly strengthened by weakening of army in Blomberg Fritsch crisis & by more anti-semetic policies
What were the Waffen SS?
Armed SS: a paramilitary organisation of elite troops