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[[Image:SSsymbol.png|right|100px]]

[[Image:SSsymbol.png|right|100px]]

The '''SS''' (short for '''Schutzstaffel''', German for "Protective Squadron") was part of the [[National Socialism|Nazi party]], controlled by [[Heinrich Himmler]]. It was noted for its devotion to [[Adolf Hitler]], for its hostility to Jews, for its fanaticism in battle, and especially for its control of the death camps during the [[Holocaust]].

The '''SS''' (short for '''Schutzstaffel''', German for "Protective Squadron") was a major para-military branch of the [[National Socialism|Nazi party]], controlled for the majority of its existence by [[Heinrich Himmler]] (who became its leader in 1929). It was noted for its devotion to [[Adolf Hitler]], for its hostility to Jews, for its fanaticism in combat; and especially for its control of the concentration camps and death camps during the [[Holocaust]].

 

==History==

==History==

Although the Nazis came to power in 1933, they created the SS in 1925, as [[Adolf Hitler]]'s personal bodyguard; [[Heinrich Himmler]] was given command. Its idea was taken from the [[Brownshirts|SA]] that was used for protecting Hitler. Although it originally had only 280 men, by 1933 Himmler had expanded its ranks to 52,000.

Although the Nazis came to power in 1933, the Nazi Party created the SS in 1925, as [[Adolf Hitler]]'s personal bodyguard (Stabswache or Staff Guard). The SS was originally only a sub-branch of the [[Brownshirts|SA]]. It was a small exclusive group who only had loyalty to Adolf Hitler, not the Nazi Party, such as the SA. [[Heinrich Himmler]] was the fourth leader of the SS, having obtained command in January 1929. He went on to become its longest and most influential leader. By the time he took over in 1929, it was made up of only 280 men. By 1933 Himmler had expanded its ranks to 52,000.

[[Image:THE_SS.jpg|right|300px]]

[[Image:THE_SS.jpg|right|300px]]