1. THE FIRST CAMPS ( )
After the Nazis came to power to power in Germany in 1933, the SA, SS, police and local civilian authorities organized detention camps to incarcerate alleged political and social opponents of Nazi policy.
OPPONENTS INCLUDED:
German Communists German Social Democrats Roma (Gypsies) in Germany German Jehovah’s Witnesses German homosexual men German Christian clergymen Others accused of “asocial” behavior
Early camps were improvised: Jails, basements, even a boat
Columbia Haus – a police station turned detention camp

2. THE FIRST CAMPS ( )
Many of the early concentration camps were improvised. Here, roll call is held for political prisoners aboard a ship used as a floating concentration camp. Ochstumsand camp, near Bremen, Germany, 1933 or 1934.
Arrival of political prisoners at the Oranienburg concentration camp, north of Berlin, Germany, 1933.

3. DACHAU – March 1933
Dachau is “the first concentration camp for political prisoners.” – Heinrich Himmler
Built on the grounds of an abandoned ammunition factory; Dachau is the first regular concentration camp built by the Nazi government.
In 1937 the SS would use forced labor to build a large complex of buildings and to remove the old ammunition factory. Work was completed by August 1938.
Dachau served as a training center for SS concentration camp guards. It became the model for all concentration camps to follow.
SS Lieutenant General Theodor Eicke was Commandant of Dachau until 1934
One of the first photos of Dachau; March or April 1933; Barracks and old ammunition factory are visible

4. DACHAU – March 1933 Dachau: Animated Map
PHOTOS OF THE BARRACKS AT DACHAU, TAKEN AFTER ITS LIBERATION IN 1945

5. CREAMTORIA AT DACHAU

6. COLOR PHOTOS OF DACHAU (AFTER LIBERATION)

9. THEODOR EICKE Made commandant of Dachau in 1933
If time, remind me to have Google translate this
Made commandant of Dachau in 1933
The SS is separated from the SA in July 1934 – Knight of the Long Knives
Eicke had led the SS units that surprised and killed the SA leaders during the Night of the Long Knives. Eicke shot Ernst Rohm.
Hitler wanted the concentration camps formalized and systematic; Heinrich Himmler choose Theodor Eicke to achieve this goal

10. Earlier camps closed as Nazis consolidated their power and control over Germany

11. When Germany invades Poland (Sept 1939) there are six camps in the
Greater-German Reich:
Dachau (1933) Sachsenhausen
(1936) Buchenwald
(1937) Flossenburg
(1938) Mauthausen
(1938) Ravensbruck (Women’s camp)
(1939)