Topic 6

Question 1

What does SS stand for and when was it founded?

Answer 1

SS stands for Schutzstaffel, founded in April 1925.

Question 2

What was the primary role of the Gestapo?

Answer 2

The Gestapo was responsible for the secret police work, political repression, and surveillance of the population.

Question 3

When was the Gestapo established?

Answer 3

The Gestapo was established in 1933.

Question 4

Who was Heinrich Himmler?

Answer 4

Heinrich Himmler was the head of the SS and played a crucial role in the enforcement of Nazi policies and the Holocaust.

Question 5

What was the purpose of the SD?

Answer 5

The SD was the intelligence agency of the SS, tasked with gathering intelligence on political opponents and ensuring loyalty to the Nazi regime.

Question 6

When was the first concentration camp, Dachau, opened?

Answer 6

Dachau was opened on March 22, 1933.

Question 7

Who were the initial inmates of concentration camps?

Answer 7

The initial inmates were mainly political prisoners, including communists, socialists, and trade unionists.

Question 8

What was the purpose of concentration camps before 1939?

Answer 8

They were used for the detention of political opponents and other groups considered a threat to the Nazi regime.

Question 9

What was the “protective custody” policy?

Answer 9

It was a euphemism used to justify the arrest and detention of individuals in concentration camps for “protection” of society.

Question 10

How did the number of concentration camps change by 1939?

Answer 10

By 1939, the system of concentration camps expanded, with hundreds of camps established across Germany.

Question 11

What position did Joseph Goebbels hold in the Nazi government?

Answer 11

Joseph Goebbels was appointed Minister of Propaganda in 1933.

Question 12

What was the main purpose of Nazi propaganda?

Answer 12

To promote Nazi ideology, glorify Hitler, and manipulate public opinion in favor of the regime.

Question 13

How did Goebbels control the media?

Answer 13

He imposed strict censorship, ensured that all media outlets were controlled by the state, and used propaganda to spread Nazi messages.

Question 14

What was the role of the Reich Chamber of Culture?

Answer 14

Established in 1933, it regulated artistic expression and ensured that all cultural productions conformed to Nazi ideology.

Question 15

What was the significance of the 1936 Berlin Olympics in terms of propaganda?

Answer 15

The Olympics were used to showcase Nazi Germany as a powerful and modern state, promoting Aryan superiority through athletic success.

Question 16

What was the People’s Court (Volksgerichtshof), and when was it established?

Answer 16

Established in 1934, it was a special court used to try political crimes and was notorious for its lack of fair trials.

Question 17

How did the Nazis influence judges and the legal system?

Answer 17

The Nazis appointed loyal judges, removed those who opposed them, and ensured that the legal system aligned with Nazi policies.

Question 18

What did the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service (1933) achieve?

Answer 18

It allowed the dismissal of civil servants, including judges, who were deemed politically unreliable, ensuring loyalty to the regime.

Question 19

What happened to legal rights under the Nazi regime?

Answer 19

Legal rights were severely restricted, with political dissenters often denied due process and subjected to arbitrary detention.

Question 20

How did the Nazis use show trials?

Answer 20

Show trials were public trials that served to demonstrate the power of the regime and intimidate