16.2.1

The German Police State

Test yourself

The Maintenance of the Police State

Hitler ran Germany as a police state. This means that the police controlled every aspect of daily life for German citizens. Heinrich Himmler was the key figure who ran the Nazi repression system.

Illustrative background for GleichschaltungIllustrative background for Gleichschaltung ?? "content

Gleichschaltung

  • The Nazis created 'Gleichschaltung' through repression (control by force).
    • This means that the Nazi regime combined force and fear to achieve conformity (obedience).
Illustrative background for Heinrich HimmlerIllustrative background for Heinrich Himmler ?? "content

Heinrich Himmler

  • Heinrich Himmler was in charge of the Nazi’s tools for repression (control by force), the Gestapo, SS and SD.
  • Himmler was one of Hitler’s closest colleagues. His career in the Nazi Party began when he led the SS in 1929.
  • Himmler enthusiastically supported the idea of Aryan superiority and the inferiority of the untermenschen (sub-humans).
  • As Himmler was in charge of police and security services, he could act how he wanted to and not fear legal punishment.

Jump to other topics

1The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

1.1Anglo-Saxon England

1.2The Contest for the English Throne

1.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

1.4King John

1.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

1.6The Black Death

2Worldviews

3The Empire of Mali

4The Renaissance & Reformations, 1500-1598 AD

5The British Empire, 1583-1960 AD

6The Peasants' Revolt

7Religion in the Middle Ages

8Slavery, 1619-1833 AD

9The English Civil War, 1642-1660

10The Industrial Revolution, 1750-1840

11US Independence, 1775-1783

12The French Revolution, 1789-1815

13The British Empire, 1857–1930

14Suffrage

15World War 1, 1914-1918

16The Inter-War Years, 1919-1939

17World War 2, 1939-1945

18The Cold War, 1947-1962

19Civil Rights in the USA, 1954-1975

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson