The German Police State
History: KS3, topic 18.2.1
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.
Gleichschaltung
- The Nazis created 'Gleichschaltung' through repression (control by force).
- This means that the Nazi regime combined force and fear to achieve conformity (obedience).
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.
The legal system
- As the Nazis controlled the legal system, they had no opposition.
- The Nazis got rid of trials by jury and instead all decisions rested with the judge alone.
- It was compulsory for all judges to join the National Socialist League for the Maintenance of the Law.
- All judges had to rule in the Nazis favour.
- The People's Court in Berlin tried "political criminals" who opposed Hitler. Most people were found guilty.
Test yourself on The German Police State
What was a key reason why the Nazis had no opposition?
Who was the leader of the Gestapo, SS and SD?
How did the Nazis control the legal system?