Discuss the importance of the SS to Hitler' Germany [25]

---

Practice Question b - paper 42

• For importance / significance questions you must INDENTIFY 3 or 4 reasons (factors) why the focus of the question, in this case the SS, is significant / important.
• Each factor can be developed in its own paragraph.
• You do not need an introduction.
• An outline answer has been provided for you with a worked example for the first 'factor.

---

Factor: The SS helped Hitler to consolidate Hitler's position as Chancellor.

• June 1934 they carried out the Night of the Long Knives.
• Eradicated the threat of an internal coup by Ernst Rohm who had control of over 2 million Brown shirts
• The SA came under the control of Himmler - removing a potential threat.
• Hindenburg and the Army thanked Hitler for 'nipping treason in the bud'.

Factor: The SS were important to promoting Nazi ideology.

Factor: Were central in creating a Totalitarian state - rooting out enemies.