Courts Flashcards
(10 cards)
How did Hitler change the legal system after coming to power?
He Nazified the courts, removed independent judges, and ensured all legal institutions served the interests of the Nazi regime.
What was the People’s Court (Volksgerichtshof)?
A special Nazi court set up in 1934 to try cases of “political offences” like treason and resistance to the regime.
What was significant about trials in the People’s Court?
There were no juries, judges were Nazi loyalists, and verdicts were often predetermined, especially death sentences.
What happened to judges under Nazi rule?
Judges were forced to swear an oath of loyalty to Hitler and were removed if seen as politically unreliable.
How did the Nazis ensure legal conformity with their ideology?
They established the League of National Socialist Lawyers and reformed legal education to reflect Nazi values.
What was the Reich Ministry of Justice’s role?
It oversaw the centralisation and coordination of the legal system to serve Nazi goals, including persecution and control.
How did ordinary courts function under the Nazis?
While still operating, they were heavily influenced by Nazi ideology and often delivered politically motivated verdicts.
What was the legal system’s role in the Nazi state?
It provided a veneer of legitimacy to repression, helping to justify arrests, trials, and executions of political opponents.
Who was Roland Freisler?
Infamous Nazi judge who presided over the People’s Court and was known for humiliating defendants and handing out death penalties.
How did Nazi control of the courts contribute to the terror state?
It ensured that opposition could be legally punished, discouraged resistance, and helped maintain the illusion of legal process.
