How Significant was the Night of the Long Knives?

The Event was extremely significant to the S.A as it was the end of their hope of replacing the army as the premier fighting force for the German State. It also meant that there role in the Nazi organisation was reduced and in fact all but replaced by the new S.S under Himler. This was the effective end of any chance that the S.A could have a second revolution.

The Night of the Long knives also was significant in reassuring the Army that the Nazi party would not replace them with the S.A. This gave the Army the confidence to swear an oath to Hitler when he became fuhrer later that year. It also demonstrated to the Political elites that Hitler would act to stop a more Socialist, National Socialist party, which is one of the things as landowners and big business men, which they may have feared.

The Nazi party was effected in quite a significant way by the Night of the Long Knives not least because some of the most prominent member of the party had been murdered, which left and appreciable gap in the left extreme of the party. But also it affirmed Hitler's ability to lead the party, and may have scared any possible party dissident who had not as yet made them selves known into in keeping to the party line. The Night of the Long Knives had a very significant effect in bringing the party together at least in public. However it had the negative effect that any opposition

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would now be secretive and subversive, which increase the likelihood of dissident's participating in terrorist activities rather than debating the problems with nazi policy.

The general public was less directly effected however the was still a significant effect on them. The General Public probably did not see the more evil aspect of the Murder of Hitler's political opponent's, Nazi propaganda probably focused on the Curbing of the riotous and Excessive S.A. This may have caused greater respect for Hitler in that he was prepared to act against an institution he had established if thing's seemingly got out of hand. This may have reassured people about Hitler being the man to lead Germany through this difficult time of depression.

The event was probably less significant to the international community and for the most part they probably weren't paying attention at this point. America as usual except when her pride is dented was following a very isolationalist foreign policy, and was concentrating on internal affair's rather than international one's. The European nations probably reported the event and may have felt that it was an internal German matter. Even if there had been out rage about the Night of the Long Knives there if little that could have been done as the LON was beginning to fall apart and the depression was still biting.

The Night of the Long knives obviously had different amounts of significance to different people, however it can be considered a very significant turning point in Nazi Germany. It was the point at which any possibility of a Socialist, Nazi party was Vanquished and also a point where the S.A became less powerful and less important. It also rid Hitler of his political enemies, which is more significant since Hindenburg died two month's later. This removal of opponent's ensured Hitler was in the position to become fuhrer. This was more luck than Judgement but above all Hitler was a very fortuitous man.

The Night of the long Knives was one of the most significant events in Hitler's acclamation of total dictatorial power in Germany.