key groups + people in the nazi party

SA

• H’s own private army @ end of 1921

• often ex-freikorps that were unemployed by ToV

• accompanies H in public appearances

• known as bullies/thugs for violent intim of communists + jews

• led by Ernst Rohm

• became potential threat to H when he wanted to legally take power due to rep

SS

• schutzstaffel

• elite + highly disciplined

• initially H’s body guards

• became one of the most powerful + feared organisations in NP

• wore black uniform

• led by Himmler

• recruits had to prove no jewish descent + received military training

gestapo

• official secret police

• mission: “to assure the effective battle against all endeavours directed @ the existence + security of the state”

• vital component in Nazi repression

• answered to no judicial/legal oversight

• targeted political enemies such as communists, social democrats, liberals + jews

hermann goering

• served as a fighter pilot in WW1 + received Gs highest military decoration

• joined NP in 1922

• was head of SA but injured in BHP and forced to flee

• returned to G in 1927 but not reappointed

• became Reichstag President after 1932 election + helped negotiate Hitler as Chancellor

• was Interior Minister of Prussia + Minister President of Prussia

• commanded the Luftwaffe

• sentenced to death @ Nuremberg trials but committed suicide before hanging

heinrich himmler

• too young to participate in WW1

• joined NP in 1923, took part in BHP

• became leader of SS in 1929 which focused on national security + racial purity

• became head of all state police divisions and centralised them to form the Gestapo in 1933

• controlled all CCs through SS, planned + implemented FSTJQ

• was stripped of all titles by Hitler for transmitting an offer of surrender to Allies @ end of war

• was captured by Russian soldiers under false identities in 1945

• given to British where he confessed his identity + committed suicide

joseph goebbels

• didn’t serve in WW1 due to clubbed foot that hindered ability to walk

• had doctorate in G lit

• joined NP in 1924 + edited newspaper “Folkish Freedom”

• Hitler appointed him to NP Chief for Greater Berlin in 1926 where he gained support for party + was elected to prlt in 1928

• appointed to Reich Propaganda Leader in 1930, crucial for ‘32

• appointed Minister of Public Enlightenment + Propaganda 1933

• chief instigator of Kristallnacht

• developed the Führer Cult which glorified H as Gs leader + saviour

• committed suicide in H’s bunker in May 1945

reinhard heydrich

• chief of:

  • SS (31-42)

  • Gestapo (34-36)

  • German Security Police (36-42)

  • Reich Security Main Office/RHSA (39)

• too young to part in WW1 but joined navy (22-31)

• introduced to Himmler who tasked him w developing the SD in 1931

• worked closely w Himmler, shared intense nationalism + racism

• tasked by Goering to lead FSTJQ

• appointed as Reich Protector of Bohemia + Moravia following communist uprisings in 1941

• injured in Prague (May 1942) when hand grenade was rolled under car, killed by injuries in June

• SS in Poland named mass murder op that killed 1.7M jews in his honour

albert speer

• to young to part in WW1

• joined NP in 1930

• responsible for design + decoration of NP rallies

• Minister of Armaments + Munitions —> was responsible for G war economy

• sentenced to 20 years prison @ Nuremberg Trials, released in 1966