Repression and the police state

Why didn’t the Nazis face much resistance?

They eliminated and killed all of their opposition

What is a police state?

A term given to a country that is heavily controlled through the use of the police force

What did Hitler initially use to control the people? (Before the night of the long knives)

The SA

After the night of the long knives, what did Hitler use to control Germany?

The SS, the Gestapo, concentration camps, and control of the legal system

Who was the leader of the SS?

Heinrich Himmler

What was the role of the SS initially?

Hitler’s private bodyguard

What were the feelings of the SS about Hitler?

They were fanatically loyal to Hitler

What did the SS set up?

Concentration camps, where enemies of the state went

Who were considered enemies of the state?

Jews, gypsies, disabled people

What were the Gestapo?

The Nazis’ secret police force

What did the Gestapo do?

Monitored the German population for signs of opposition or resistance

How did the German people help the Gestapo?

They informed on their fellow citizens

How did the Gestapo find out information?

They opened mail and tapped telephone calls

What was the SD?

The intelligence gathering agency of the SS

What was the SD responsible for?

The security of Hitler and other top Nazis

Who was the SD led by?

Heydrich - the right hand man of Himmler

What could the SD do?

Arrest anyone for any reason, search homes and seize property

What were concentration camps?

Large prisons where enemies of the state were sent

What happened inside concentration camps?

Inmates were worked hard and some were tortured or worked to death

Who was sent to concentration camps?

Jews, Roma and Sinti people (gypsies), political opponents and anyone who criticised Hitler

What did judges have to swear?

An oath of loyalty to Hitler, and they were expected to act in the interests of Nazis

What did lawyers have to join?

The Nazi Lawyers Association

What happened to defence lawyers?

Although they still existed, their role was significantly weakened

What happened to the punishments that could be given to criminals?

The standard consequences were abolished, so prosecutors could decide what penalties to impose on the guilty

What happened to the number of criminal offences?

Between 1933 and 1939, the number was halved

How many crimes carried the death penalty?

From 3 to 46

What happened to criminals at the end of their sentences in prisons?

Instead of being released, they were sent to concentration camps

Did ordinary police arrest Nazis?

No, they ignored crimes committed by them

What news laws gave a punishment of prison for?

Smuggling banned books into Germany, telling an anti-Hitler joke or listening to a foreign radio station