The Police State: The experiences of Germans under the Nazis: History: GCSE (9:1)

Police State

A country where the police and other organisations linked to justice such as the courts are very powerful and act on behalf of the government.

SS

Chosen for the Aryan looks and loyalty to the Nazi party and its beliefs. The SS controlled Concentrations Camps

Gestapo

Part of the SS, they were Nazi Germany's secret police force create by Herman Goering. They used informers and spying to investigate anyone who might oppose Nazi ideas or control.

'Rigged Trial'

A 'fake' hearing as the outcome was already known -the Nazis controlled the judges and police

Informer

Somebody who tells the police or Gestapo that another persona has acted illegally or opposes the Nazis.

Re-education

To force somebody who opposed the Nazis to reject their beliefs methods often involved violence.

Dictatorship

Citizens of a dictatorship do not have the right to decide their leader. A dictator is someone who has complete power over all of the laws and the running of the country. There is no constitution or opposition to limit their powers.

Concentration Camp

A prison in which people are held under harsh conditions and without the freedoms of the rest of society

Himmler

Personally reported to Hitler and was a loyal Nazi who had known Hitler since 1923. He was in control of all police forces across Germany.

Death penalty

In 1933 there were 3 crimes punishable by death. By 1943 it was 46

Nazi party control

The Nazis ensured that police officers were members of the Nazi party and appointed judges from their members to ensure that they had control