Changes

Heydrich became head of the political department of the Munich police force soon after Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany in 1933; his rapid reorganization of that force spread to others and helped bring them Himmler's control. Despite Heydrich's rapid rise in the ranks of the SS, his hopes for advancement rested only with his specialization (Himmler was just four years older than Heydrich). On April 20, 1934 [[Hermann Goering]] handed over the [[Gestapo]] to Himmler. Two days later, Himmler named Heydrich the chief of the Gestapo. Later on June 17, 1936, Hitler appointed Himmler chief of German police in the Ministry of Interior; he formed the (Sicherheitspolizei or SiPo) (the security police). The SiPo was made up of two sub-branches, the Kriminalpolizei (national criminal police) and the Gestapo, under Heydrich's overall command. Heydrich still retained command of the SD, as well.<ref>Gerwarth (2011); McNab (2009)</ref>

Heydrich became head of the political department of the Munich police force soon after Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany in 1933; his rapid reorganization of that force spread to others and helped bring them Himmler's control. Despite Heydrich's rapid rise in the ranks of the SS, his hopes for advancement rested only with his specialization (Himmler was just four years older than Heydrich). On April 20, 1934 [[Hermann Goering]] handed over the [[Gestapo]] to Himmler. Two days later, Himmler named Heydrich the chief of the Gestapo. Later on June 17, 1936, Hitler appointed Himmler chief of German police in the Ministry of Interior; he formed the (Sicherheitspolizei or SiPo) (the security police). The SiPo was made up of two sub-branches, the Kriminalpolizei (national criminal police) and the Gestapo, under Heydrich's overall command. Heydrich still retained command of the SD, as well.<ref>Gerwarth (2011); McNab (2009)</ref>

Several events during the late-1930s expanded Heydrich’s influence and power.  In 1938 a purge was conducted against the German High Command, removing many officers from their posts, either through forced retirement or being denounced and led off to concentration camps; Heydrich played a leading role, and as head of the Gestapo, he could arrest and jail his enemies with impunity.  In early-November of that year, Kristallnacht took place; some 35,000 Jews were arrested on his orders, their property confiscated with the addendum that they would pay for the damage that was caused.  And by 1939, Heydrich assumed the leadership of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt (Reich Security Main Office), the agency in charge of all of Germany’s secret and political police, security police, criminal police forces and intelligence gathering services (outside the German Army, until taking over the Abwehr, German military intelligence, in 1944)<ref>Weale, (2010); McNab (2009)</ref>

Several events during the late-1930s expanded Heydrich’s influence and power.  In 1938 a purge was conducted against the German High Command, removing many officers from their posts, either through forced retirement or being denounced and led off to concentration camps; Heydrich played a leading role, and as head of the Gestapo, he could arrest and jail his enemies with impunity.  In early-November of that year, Kristallnacht took place; some 35,000 Jews were arrested on his orders, their property confiscated with the addendum that they would pay for the damage that was caused.  And by 1939, Heydrich assumed the leadership of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt (Reich Security Main Office), the agency in charge of all of Germany’s secret and political police, security police, national criminal police and intelligence gathering services (outside the German Army, until taking over the Abwehr, German military intelligence, in 1944)<ref>Weale, (2010); McNab (2009)</ref>

==World War II==

==World War II==