Sturmabteilung (SA) (Commentary)

This commentary is based on the classroom activity: Sturmabteilung (SA)

Q1: Use the information from the introduction and the sources in the unit to describe the uniform of the SA.

A1: The SA wore grey jackets, brown shirts, swastika armbands (red, with black swastika on white disc), brown ski-caps, knee-breeches, thick woolen socks and combat boots.

Q2: Describe the type of people who joined the SA.

A2: The SA were often former members of the German army or the Freikorps.

Q3: Explain the different tasks performed by the SA.

A3: Members of the SA would parade through the streets. Sometimes, at the end of the march, Hitler would make a speech that encouraged his supporters to carry out acts of violence against Jews and his left-wing political opponents. The SA was assigned the task of winning the battle of the streets against the Communists. They also disrupted the meetings of political opponents. The SA also served as Hitler's bodyguard.