Gestapo

Quick Facts: Who was Gestapo?

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Gestapo

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The official secret police force of Nazi Germany, responsible for political repression and atrocities.

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Origins & Early Life

The Geheime Staatspolizei ([ɡəˈhaɪmə ˈʃtaːtspoliˌtsaɪ] , lit. 'Secret State Police', abbreviated Gestapo [ɡəˈstaːpo] ), was the official secret police of Nazi Germany and in German-occupied Europe. The force was created by Hermann Göring in 1933 by combining the various political police agencies of Prussia into one organisation. On 20 April 1934, oversight of the Gestapo passed to the head of the Schutzstaffel (SS), Heinrich Himmler, who was also appointed Chief of German Police by Hitler in 1936. Instead of being exclusively a Prussian state agency, the Gestapo became a national one as a sub-office of the Sicherheitspolizei (SiPo; Security Police).

Career & Major Achievements

From 27 September 1939, it was administered by the Reich Security Main Office (RSHA). It became known as Amt (Dept) 4 of the RSHA and was considered a sister organisation to the Sicherheitsdienst (SD; Security Service). The Gestapo committed widespread atrocities during its existence. The Gestapo was used against the Nazis' political opponents, ideological dissenters (clergy and religious organisations), career criminals, the Sinti and Roma population, handicapped persons, homosexuals, and above all, Jews. Those arrested by the Gestapo were often held without judicial process, and political prisoners throughout Germany—from 1941 throughout the occupied territories under the Night and Fog Decree (German: Nacht und Nebel)—simply disappeared while in Gestapo custody.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Contrary to popular perception, the Gestapo was actually a relatively small organisation with limited surveillance capability; still it proved extremely effective due to the willingness of ordinary Germans to report on fellow citizens. During World War II, the Gestapo played a key role in the Holocaust. When World War II concluded, the Gestapo was declared a criminal organisation by the International Military Tribunal (IMT) at the Nuremberg trials, and several top Gestapo members were sentenced to death. After Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany, Hermann Göring—future commander of the Luftwaffe and the number-two man in the Nazi Party—was named Interior Minister of Prussia. This gave Göring command of the largest police force in Germany.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1933: 1933 Milestone — The force was created by Hermann Göring in 1933 by combining the various political police agencies of Prussia into one organisation.
2. 1934: 1934 Milestone — On 20 April 1934, oversight of the Gestapo passed to the head of the Schutzstaffel (SS), Heinrich Himmler, who was also appointed Chief of German Police by Hitler in 1936.
3. 1939: 1939 Milestone — From 27 September 1939, it was administered by the Reich Security Main Office (RSHA).
4. 1941: 1941 Milestone — Those arrested by the Gestapo were often held without judicial process, and political prisoners throughout Germany—from 1941 throughout the occupied territories under the Night and Fog Decree (German: Nacht und Nebel)—simply disappeared while in Gestapo custody.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Gestapo

True or False: “Was the Gestapo initially intended to be named the Secret Police Office (Geheimes Polizeiamt)?”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Yes, it was originally planned with those initials, but they were changed because 'GPA' sounded too similar to the Soviet GPU.

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• Alan Ayckbourn — Historical peer (Born in 1939) (1939): Prolific British playwright and director known for domestic farce and ensemble pieces.
• Adam Kuper — Historical peer (Born in 1941) (1941): Influential British social anthropologist known for research in Southern Africa.
• Adnan Khayr Allah — Historical peer (Born in 1941) (1941): Iraqi military officer and Minister of Defense, closely associated with the Ba'ath regime.

Frequently Asked Questions about Gestapo