Summary 7 - The Gestapo

Question 1

What was the Gestapo?

Answer 1

The Gestapo were the secret State police, they consisted of professional police officers rather than party members.

Question 2

What was the role of the Gestapo?

Answer 2

The Gestapo were responsible for dealing with opponents or critics of the regime.

Question 3

Why did the Gestapo instil fear and suspicion into the ordinary German population?

Answer 3

They had the reputation of being all knowing.

Question 4

How did ordinary Germans help the Gestapo?

Answer 4

Germans were asked to spy on their neighbours and work colleagues and denounce critics of the regime to the Gestapo.

Question 5

Why did many ordinary Germans help the Gestapo?

Answer 5

Many ordinary Germans reported their neighbours to the Gestapo to settle a grudge.

Question 6

How many Gestapo officers were there in 1939?

Answer 6

Only 20,000
They relied on informants and often could not cope with the volume of information.