Reinhard HEYDRICH had a successful and rapid career in the Nazi party, being one of Hitler's most important individuals. His role in the party was of great importance and significant to what the Nazis actually achieved. .
Background:.
Heydrich had great ambition, and from the start of his career, aimed at the leadership of the Third Reich.
He was born in Halle on 7th March 1904 to an actress and a musician, which is where he got his Jewish blood. So, although he looked typically Aryan (unlike most other political leaders), he was actually partly Jewish, although he kept this hidden. Later, he issued many writs for slander over accusations about his ancestry.
During WW1, he was too young to join German Army, but, at age of 16, he joined the Right wing Freikorps.
Experiences:.
At the age of 16, Heydrich joined the Freikorps. He took part in battles with the Socialist revolutionaries in Halle, and then joined the German Army. When training, he became friends with Wilhelm CANARIS (who learned of Heydrich's Jewish ancestry).
In 1928, Heydrich was promoted to lieutenant and joined the German Intelligence Service. However, he was accused of getting an important businessman's daughter pregnant, and so lost his job. Angry with this, he joined the Nazi Party and was, in 1931, introduced to HIMMLER (his "partner in crime"). Heydrich also became a member of the SS in 1932.
Role in Nazi Party:.
Heydrich was Deputy Chief of Gestapo.
Himmler appointed Heydrich to form the SD, and by 1933, he had reached rank of "Obergruppenfuhrer".
In June 1934, Heydrich, along with Kurt DALUEGE and Walter SCHELLENSBERG, carried out the "Night of the Long Knives" (arranged by Himmler). In the same year, Heydrich became Head of the Political Police. The following year, he became Head of the Criminal Police, so it is right to say that his career was rapid.
In 1936, he became Head of the SD and Gestapo. (Later, both these organisations became part of the Reich Security Administration [RSHA]) .
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