17.2.1

The German Police State

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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.

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Gleichschaltung

  • The Nazis created 'Gleichschaltung' through repression (control by force).
    • This means that the Nazi regime combined force and fear to achieve conformity (obedience).
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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

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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