--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The mission of the Gestapo expanded…" description: "\"The mission of the Gestapo expanded steadily as from 1933 onward, \"political criminality\" was given a much broader definition than ever before and more..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/416/sheila-fitzpatrick-42948_book_the-mission-of-the-gestapo-expanded-stea_541710.jpg" --- # The mission of the Gestapo expanded steadily as from 1933… ![“The mission of the Gestapo expanded steadily as from 1933 onward, "political criminality" was given a much broader definition than ever before and more forms of dissent and criticism were gradually criminalized. The result was that more "laws" or law-like measures were put on the books than ever.” quote by Sheila Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/416/sheila-fitzpatrick-42948_book_the-mission-of-the-gestapo-expanded-stea_541710.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/416/sheila-fitzpatrick-42948_book_the-mission-of-the-gestapo-expanded-stea_541710.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/416/sheila-fitzpatrick-42948_book_the-mission-of-the-gestapo-expanded-stea_541710.jpg) > “The mission of the Gestapo expanded steadily as from 1933 onward, "political criminality" was given a much broader definition than ever before and more forms of dissent and criticism were gradually criminalized. The result was that more "laws" or law-like measures were put on the books than ever.” [Sheila Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-fitzpatrick/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Gestapo broadened its definition of political crime, criminalizing dissent and increasing legal repression. **In simple terms:** Gestapo expanded political crime definition, criminalizing dissent. Key Takeaway Recognize how legal definitions can be weaponized. Themes author repression law history authoritarianism Mood cautious critical historical Type analytical educational When to use this quote - academic research - human rights advocacy - education on authoritarianism - policy analysis Key Concepts Totalitarianism state power legal manipulation Questions to Reflect On - How do societies guard against expanding criminal definitions? - What safeguards protect political speech? A Different Perspective Legal expansions can be justified under security pretenses, limiting dissent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Criminality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminality/) [Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism/) [Dissent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dissent/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Missions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missions/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Tyranny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tyranny/) ## Related quotes > [Very commonly substances are criminalized because they're associated with what's called the dangerous classes, you know, poor people, or working people… Actually, the peak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/very-commonly-substances-are-criminalized-because-they-re-associated/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Black boys became criminalized. 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