5. Night of the Long Knives

Why was Hitler threatened by the SA?

• they were rising in power, with over 2 million members by 1934, and its leader Ernst Rohm was a possible rival to Hitler as a leader of the Nazi party

• the leader of the SS, Heinrich Himmler, resented the SA’s influence and was keen to to reduce its importance

• some SA members continued to use violence and intimidation and their behaviour was an embarrassment to Hitler

• Rohm had different views to Hitler

• some people in the Nazi part were offended by Rohm’s homosexuality and believed he was corrupting the Hitler Youth

• the influence of the SA affected the Nazis relations with the regular army, with SA units stopping army convoys and confiscating their weapons in 1934

When did the Night of the Long Knives happen?

30th June 1934

What did Hitler do during the Night of the Long Knives?

• members of the SS arrested around 200 SA officers and around 90 SA officers were executed, including Rohm

• the SA leaders were not the only targets, Hitler took revenge on old enemies like von Kahr, Schliecher and removed a possible rival for Nazi leaders

What was Hitlers excuse for the Night of the Long Knives

he claimed he was defending Germany against a plot that was going to led by Rohm

When did President Hindenburg die?

2nd August 1934

What did Hitler do after Hindenburg died?

he took the opportunity to increase his power, combining the officers of chancellors and president and declared himself Fuhrer (leader) of Germany, now having full control of the Third Reich