The Gestapo, short for Geheime Staatspolizei, German for Secrete State Police, was formally organized after the Nazi’s seized power in 1933, and was the secrete police force of Nazi Germany. The Gestapo was used to reinforce Nazi ideology and to ensure anyone who did not support the Nazi state and their philosophies would be punished. Punishment was often orchestrated through means of brutality and interrogation, and was often used to acquire confessions. The Gestapo was formed when Herman Goring unified units of Prussian police with thousands of Nazi’s, many of which were members of the Storm Troopers. Goring became the leader of this new force on 26 April 1933, in which he took full responsibility for the actions of this ruthless organization. In the years between 1933 to 1945 the Gestapo took on many changes in its structure and leadership, and as a result of this the functions of the Gestapo became unclear and were often integrated with those of other units of the German forces (Mainly SS units). Nevertheless they still carried out their sadistic and callous functions of rounding up communists, partisans, Jews and anybody or organization who were believed to be a potential threat to the Nazi state.
· In January 1929 he was appointed head of Hitler's personal bodyguard, the black-shirted Schutzstaffel (SS).
The duties of the GESTAPO are best described in an order published by the Party Chancery in 1938.
· Returned to Germany in 1923 and rejoined the NSDAP.
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