The role of the SS

• What was the original purpose of the SS when it was established in 1925?

  It was set up as a personal bodyguard for Hitler.
• Who took control of the SS in 1929?

  Heinrich Himmler took control of the SS in 1929.
• What significant change did Himmler implement in 1932 regarding the SS?

  He distinguished the SS as an elite separate from the SA.
• What distinctive feature did the SS adopt under Himmler in 1932?

  They were given distinctive blackshirts.
• What role did the SS serve within the Nazi party?

  It became the private police force of the Nazi party.
• How did the membership of the SS change by the end of the 1930s?

  It grew from a few thousand to 240,000 members.
• What event contributed to the SS becoming increasingly powerful?

  The Night of the Long Knives contributed to the SS's power.
• What authority was given to the SS regarding police and security services?

  It was given overall control of all police and security services.
• What was Himmler's vision for the SS in terms of racial purity?

  He wanted to keep the SS as a ‘racially pure elite’.
• What requirement did recruits have to meet to join the SS?

  Recruits had to prove their ‘Aryan ancestry’.
• What restriction was placed on SS members regarding marriage?

  They could only marry ‘racially pure’ wives.
• What issue arose as the power of the SS grew within the police state?

  It led to chaotic changes of command and lack of clarity over responsibilities.
• 1. The SS (Schutzstaffel or Protection Squad) was originally set up as a personal bodyguard for Hitler in 1925. Control passed to Heinrich Himmler in 1929. In 1932 Himmler started to distinguish the SS as an elite separate from the SA, by giving it distinctive blackshirts and making it the private police force of the Nazi party.
• 2. After the Night of the Long Knives the SS became increasingly powerful and grew from a few thousand to 240,000 members by the end of the 1930s. It was given overall control of all police and security services.
• 3. Himmler wanted to keep the SS as a ‘racially pure elite’ and recruits had to prove their ‘Aryan ancestry’ and marry only ‘racially pure’ wives. 
• 4. As the power of the SS grew, its power started to overlap with other elements of the police state, leading to chaotic changes of command and a lack of clarity over who was responsible for what.