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The Night of the Long Knives: (Why? (The SA believed that this…
The Night of the Long Knives:
When?
30th June 1934
Why?
The SA believed that this Nazification hadn't gone far enough and wanted a complete social and economic reforms that would make Germany 100% Nazi.
Not only this, but they believed they were just as important as the army and wanted a merger with the army to create the: "Peoples Army"
Hitler had begun Gleichshaltung in 1933 with the abolishment of trade unions, political parties and regional states - increasing Nazi dominance and working towards the Nazi goal
The army percieved the SA as untrained violent thugs and didnt want to be associated with the SA
The army was a very powerful organisation and the only organisation that could topple Hitlers directorship, so Hitler had to keep the army on side
The SA grew rapidly and by 1934 had 3000000 members and hence their want for a 2nd revolution posed a massive threat to Hitler
Hence, he needed to get rid of them
As well as the SA, Hitler saw 30th June 1934 as an opportunity to remove leaders of opponent groups so that he could coordinate the group without the protection of their leaders. Hence not the whole group was shot - just the leaders
What?
Hitler and his SS turned up with a long list of opponents they wanted to remove
Hitler needed to get rid of Ernst Rohm however he was a close friend of Hitlers, so Rohm was order to commit suicide himself however he didn't. Hence he was shot
SA were at a countryside hotel preparing for a rally
Schliecher who had complicated Hitlers process of becoming Chancellor was shot alongside his wife in their family home - showing not even family members were safe - terrorising the German population
Kurt von Bredow who had criticised the regime abroad was killed - showing people even abroad they were not safe
Kalusner - a Catholic action leader was killed - removing religious opponents
Homosexual Heines killed - displaying Nazi eugenic policy
Von Kahr killed - he had sabotaged the Munich Beer Hall Putsch of 1933
Consequneces
Got the army on side
Removed political opposition and anyone who threatened the topple of his dictatorship
Prevented a 2nd revolution by getting rid of Rohm
Hence had secured his dictatorship
Opposition leaders had been removed, making it easier to coordinate their groups
Actyed as a massive detrrant for any opposition in society henece alluding support and obedienece in society
Could coordinate the erst of the SA and gain their support
Removal of the SA threat