Use of force

• Consolidation period, then maintenance period

  1934-1935
• Night of the Long Knives

  1. Hitler chastised SA members

  2. Hitler told Goebbels and SS to round up and execute SA leaders

  3. 84 men executed, 800-1000 killed over 3 days
• The Night of the Long Knives was consolidation of power, showing no one was safe
• SS (Schutzstaffel)


  Hitler's personal security guards, put in charge after Night of Long Knives to maintain power
• Areas SS was in charge of

  • Gestapo
  • Civilian police
  • Waffen SS
• Waffen SS


  • Also called the Death's Head Division
  • Responsible for the Holocaust and rounding up/executing non-Aryans
  • Sent to military brigades to ensure compliance
• Gestapo


  Hitler's secret police, responsible for finding and dealing with any opposition or 'counter-intelligence'
• The Gestapo and SS were a frightening force, but not as strong or widespread as perceived</b>
• The Gestapo and SS were used to maintain Hitler's power through violence and force