The SS Flashcards

SS Overview

• The SS (Schutzstaffel) started as Adolf Hitler's private guard and expanded to intimidate Germans and enforce Nazi policies.
• Initially formed to provide security for Nazi leaders, the SS evolved into a key instrument of terror within Germany.

Night of the Long Knives

• The SS played a significant role in the Night of the Long Knives, a purge targeting potential threats to Nazi leadership.

SS Structure

• The SS was divided into six distinct sections, each with specific functions and responsibilities.

Growth of the SS

• Started with 500 men, the SS expanded dramatically to 50,000 members within four years, illustrating its rapid growth and increased influence.

Gestapo Introduction

• Originally the Prussian secret police, the Gestapo became the state secret police in June 1936, operating under the authority of the SS.

Leadership

• Heinrich Himmler served as the leader of both the SS and the Gestapo, centralizing power and control within the Nazi regime.

Gestapo Operations

• The Gestapo monitored citizens through phone tapping, mail interception, and surveillance, actively seeking out opposition to Hitler's regime.

Policing and Legal Systems

• The Nazis did not attempt to re-create existing police and legal systems, opting instead for their own oppressive measures.

Capital Crimes

• By 1943, a total of 46 crimes were punishable by death, reflecting the regime's extreme legal measures.

Social Control

• The Nazi Party maintained control through an extensive local structure that encouraged participation in the regime, fostering a culture of compliance.

Himmler’s Background

• Before joining the Nazi Party, Heinrich Himmler was involved in chicken farming, a relatively ordinary background that contrasted with his later influential role.

SS Reputation

• The SS became infamous for its brutal tactics and violent enforcement of Nazi policies, instilling fear across the nation.

Targeted Groups

• The SS particularly focused on communists as a key group to monitor and suppress, viewing them as ideological threats.

SS Uniform

• Members of the SS were distinctly recognized by their black uniforms, symbolizing authority and intimidation.