The first Nazi concentration camps began to be created in the Third Reich itself immediately after the NSDAP came to power. Their original purpose was to isolate individuals who were suspected of being in opposition to the new regime. The first who ended up in the concentration camps of the Nazis back in 1933-34 were their main opponents since the days of the Weimar Republic - the communists and socialists. Already in July 1933, the number of those arrested reached 26 thousand people throughout the country. However, after
first stage, when the National Socialist Party established its total power throughout the country, the number of arrests decreased slightly. Moreover, many of those undeservedly arrested were released.
Pre-war period
A new round of mass arrests begins in the late 30s. Now the concentration camps of the Nazis are intensively replenished by German Jews. In addition to them, various asocial elements such as drunkards, homeless people and others often got here. In 1938, in connection with the first territorial acquisitions, so far bloodless (Anschluss of Austria), the number of prisoners increased even more. In the same period, the camps begin to acquire a unified structure. Nazi concentration camps for women appear,like, for example, Ravensbrück, located in Pomerania. But the whole system reaches a truly terrifying scope already during the war period.
Activities during World War II
During the war, the camp system continuously expanded, which is natural. In addition to prisoners from the occupied regions, the number of German political prisoners who protested against the aggressive policy of Germany also increased. There are camps not only in the Reich itself, but also in the occupied territories: Majdanek, Treblinka, Auschwitz and dozens of others, more or less known today. The policy of persecution of homosexuals, religious sectarians, gypsies and Jews is gaining momentum. Torture in Nazi concentration camps also became frequent. After the invasion of the Soviet Union, the most monstrous stage in the existence of these structures begins. Nazi concentration camps literally turn into death factories. Thus, the world-famous Auschwitz has been fully operational since January 1942. The fact is that it was during this period that the NSDAP finally set a course for the complete destruction of the Jews, after which they became the main victims of concentration camps. So, Rudolf Hoess, the chief commandant of Auschwitz (not to be confused with a high-ranking member of the NSDAP Rudolf Hess, who, moreover,
while in British captivity) was the first to use crystals of a pesticide called "Zyklon B" as a poisonous substance. And he was very proud of his decision, repeatedly boasting among the Naziofficers that this allowed to increase the number of victims and make Auschwitz the most effective death machine in the entire Nazi system. Another diabolical innovation of this concentration camp was the construction of huge gas chambers, which made it possible to increase their throughput. Thus, the concentration system of Nazi bosses became one of the most important tools in the infamous occupation policy and mass extermination of people in the occupied territories.
