Nazi Terror

The Schutzstaffel

What was the Schutzstaffel?

It was a semi-military organization under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, the name which translates into protection squad; the Schutzstaffel was abbreviated SS

Beginnings of the SS

The SS was created in 1920 as a small unit of members of the NSDAP who provided security at Nazi party meetings and provided protection for Adolf Hitler

Growth of the SS

In 1929 Heinrich Himmler became the leader of the SS; under his leadership, the SS grew to one of the most powerful and largest organizations in the Nazi empire

What was required to become a member of

the SS?The SS was a highly elite unit; all prospects were selected on their racial purity, and loyalty to German and the Nazi party.

Only those with pure German Aryan ancestry was eligible to join the SS

This required proof of racial purity; those with any Jewish ancestry were not eligible for SS inclusion

LoyaltyEach SS officer was required to swear an oath of loyalty to Adolf Hitler (NOT Germany); total loyalty and obedience until death was expected!

What were the symbols of the SS?The SS was most easily identified by the sinister-appearing, lightning-bolt style SS

Additional symbol identification?

To further the sinister reputation of the SS, it used the deathshead (skull & crossbones), often worn on the uniforms of SS personnel

What did the SS members wear?

Members of the SS wore black uniforms of many different styles; the constant on the uniforms was the swastika, lightning-bolt SS, and the deathshead

More SS UniformsThe SS on the collar lapels, deathhead on the front of the hat, and swastika armbands

Expansion of the SS

The SS (with thousands of members) under Himmler expanded into different branches; one was the Waffen-SS, which were special units of highly trained, polished soldiers who fought during World War II

SS ExpansionIn 1934, Hitler gave the SS power and control over all concentration camps; until 1945, the SS guarded and commanded all concentration, and later, death camps throughout the Nazi empire

Impact of TerrorUntil the fall of the Nazis, the SS served as Hitler’s main instrument of terror throughout the Third Reich (Hitler’s empire)

The SS after World War II

The SS was responsible for many crimes against humanity during World War II, and was declared a criminal organization by the International Military Tribunal (courts) after the war

Aftermath of the SS

After the war, the SS was officially banned in Germany; members of the SS were hunted, captured, and put on trial after the war and charged with crimes against humanity; this hunt for former SS members continues even today!

The SS today?Neo-Nazi groups throughout the world associate themselves with what the SS stood for; terror and racial purity; as such, the SS symbol is commonly used and displayed by these groups