1. Goebbels, Hess, Himmler, Roehm and Goering
Hitler’s Henchmen
Goebbels, Hess, Himmler, Roehm and Goering

2. Aims of the lesson By the end of this lesson you will
Understand the characters of Rudolf Hess, Hermann Goering, Josef Goebbels, Heinrich Himmler and Ernst Roehm.
Evaluate the importance of each in the Nazi Party.
Understand how Hitler was able to control his henchmen.

3. Josef Goebbels Hitler’s Chief of Propaganda
Originally opposed Hitler’s leadership of the party.
By 1933 he was one of his most devoted followers and played a vital role in getting the Nazis into power

4. Hermann Goering A former WW1 fighter pilot – a war hero
Joined the Nazi Party in its early days
Became a confidante of Hitler
A drug taker – led a hedonistic lifestyle

5. Heinrich Himmler A former school teacher
Was the leader of the SS – originally formed as Hitler’s bodyguards
Hitler’s most devoted follower – carried out his orders without question

6. Ernst Roehm Had been a leader of the Freikorps at the end of WW1
One of the first members of the Nazi Party
Became leader of the SA – the brown shirted strongmen of the party

7. Rudolf Hess Hitler’s deputy Devoted to Hitler.
Was his secretary in Prison
Hard working and quiet – the opposite of Hitler.
Fled to England during WW2

8. Your task
To read the appropriate pages in the text book on each of Hitler’s henchmen
To make notes on each of Hitler’s henchmen
You must include information on their background, what role they played in the Nazi Party and how they got on with Hitler.

9. Aims of the lesson By the end of this lesson you will
Understand the characters of Rudolf Hess, Hermann Goering, Josef Goebbels, Heinrich Himmler and Ernst Roehm.
Evaluate the importance of each in the Nazi Party.
Understand how Hitler was able to control his henchmen.