Life and Times under the Rule of Hitler

A Police State

Dictators require strong control over their people if they expect to survive. Historically, the use of powerful state police has been method to control populations. In the case of Adolph Hitler, the Gestapo or political police became the instrument of control. The Gestapo had tremendous powers of search and seizer within Germany, and later occupied territories. It quickly became the most feared organizations in Europe.

The Gestapo was responsible for eliminating enemies of the state. Members of the Gestapo could torture, kill, or throw individuals into concentration camps without concern for the legal system. During the first months of Hitler's rule, the Gestapo rounded up enemies of thestate. Newspaper reporters who had criticized Hitler, common criminals, people on welfare, and homosexuals were the first to be arrested or eliminated.

Members of the Nazi Party across the country were expected to assist the Gestapo in catching people who were a threat. In every city of Germany," block leaders" would watch their neighbors and report activities. Children learned in school that they should report unusual behavior or conversations by their parents to their teachers. The teachers were expected to inform the Gestapo of illegal activities. In this manner, the Nazi Party had a powerful instrument to control the people of Germany.