Matthew Watson
How Significant was the Night of the Long Knives? Discuss.
The Night of the Long Knives was on the 29/30 of June 1934. During this event 77 leading Nazi's who opposed Hitler and 100 other party member's were executed. The reasons given for this was that they were planning to implement a second revolution, which would bring in the more socialist elements of National Socialism. The S.A and left wing of the Party were too radical, and a hindrance to Hitler's collaboration with the political Elite's and the Army (Reichswehr). Most importantly Hitler's main political advisory in the party Rohm was executed leaving Hitler as the undisputed leader of the Party. Hitler also used this opportunity to purge his wider political rival's for example Gustav von Kahr was killed for his betrayal in the 1923 Munich Putsch The night of the Long Knives was a demonstration of Hitler's power over his political rivals.
To Hitler this event was very significant for it rid him of his enemy's in the party and curb the rebellious nature of the S.A. Who were causing discontent among the populous with their street violence and terrorist like acts. The event also made Hitler look more moderate in the way that he would not tolerate the extreme behaviour of the S.A. This was the beginning of Hitler's reign of terror and it set a dangerous precedent by which Hitler could execute his political enemies and get away with it. This was a very significant event in the maintenance and creation of absolute power by Hitler.
How Significant was the Night of the Long Knives? Discuss.
The Night of the Long Knives was on the 29/30 of June 1934. During this event 77 leading Nazi's who opposed Hitler and 100 other party member's were executed. The reasons given for this was that they were planning to implement a second revolution, which would bring in the more socialist elements of National Socialism. The S.A and left wing of the Party were too radical, and a hindrance to Hitler's collaboration with the political Elite's and the Army (Reichswehr). Most importantly Hitler's main political advisory in the party Rohm was executed leaving Hitler as the undisputed leader of the Party. Hitler also used this opportunity to purge his wider political rival's for example Gustav von Kahr was killed for his betrayal in the 1923 Munich Putsch The night of the Long Knives was a demonstration of Hitler's power over his political rivals.
To Hitler this event was very significant for it rid him of his enemy's in the party and curb the rebellious nature of the S.A. Who were causing discontent among the populous with their street violence and terrorist like acts. The event also made Hitler look more moderate in the way that he would not tolerate the extreme behaviour of the S.A. This was the beginning of Hitler's reign of terror and it set a dangerous precedent by which Hitler could execute his political enemies and get away with it. This was a very significant event in the maintenance and creation of absolute power by Hitler.