About the Gestapo
The secret police force of Nazi Germany was called the Gestapo. The term "Gestapo" is an abbreviation of Geheime Staats Polizei, which means "state secret police." The Gestapo was a driving force within Germany's Nazi regime and was infamous for its brutality. The Gestapo was instrumental in conquering areas of Europe during World War II.
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History
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After the Nazi party came into power, Herman Goering became the Minister of the Interior for German's largest state, Prussia. The Geheime Staats Polizei was created in Prussia. This became the Gestapo, which Goering turned over to Heinrich Himmler in 1934. Gaining control of the Gestapo was Himmler's reward for helping to eliminate one of the Nazi's rivals. Himmler joined the Bavarian Political Police with the Gestapo and the Schutzstaffel, known as the SS. The SS was an elite force to serve and protect Hitler.
Significance
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The Gestapo is one example from history that illustrates the dangers to personal liberties when a governmental entity secures unchecked powers. Without oversights, the Gestapo became increasingly powerful and was actively responsible in millions of concentration camp deaths during World War II. The Gestapo was one of the key organizations responsible for the persecution of the Jews. Its power came from its ability to imprison people without judicial proceedings, based on a protective custody theory.
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Function
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The Gestapo was the political police for Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany. Nazi Germany was also known as the Third Reich. Gestapo membership was voluntary, with many of the members coming from previous political police forces within Germany. Initially formed as a police force in Prussia, its primary purpose was the elimination of the Nazi Regime's enemies. The Gestapo was infamous in arresting anyone it believed were enemies (most notably the Jews) and confining them to concentration camps. Those persecuted had no legal recourse, and millions died.
Time Frame
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In 1920, Adolf Hitler changed the name of the German Worker's Party to the National Socialist German Worker's Party. The term "Nazi" is the German name for the first word of the party. The Gestapo was created in 1933. In 1936 it was combined with Germany's regular police force. That same year, a law passed giving the Gestapo the ability to operate without judicial oversight. After the start of the war, in 1939, the Reich Main Security Office (RSHA) was created. It contained seven main branches, with the Gestapo being the fourth branch. World War II was from 1939 to 1945.
Features
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By 1943, the Gestapo was divided into five segments, with each focusing on specific objectives. One segment focused on sabotage, opponents and the protective service. The second dealt with political churches, including handling of the Jews. The third segment dealt with press and party matters and protective custody. The fourth segment focused on German influence in expanded regions, and the last segment handled alien police and passport issues.
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