Night Of The Long Knives

Why

        Hitler had many reasons for the “night of the long knives”. His main excuse was that he was doing it not for himself but for the German people. And that by having these people killed he was performing a task no one else dared attempt. Since 1920 the SA had occupied a sub-ordinate role to the Nazi organisation, however Rohm had always thought of the SA as a far more important asset to the party. Hitler needed to sort out this disagreement before it got out of hand. Quite often the destruction of the SA was linked to other members of the Nazi party’s dislike of Ernest Rohm. Himmler leader of the SS was not a great fan of Rohm’s and wanted supreme power for his organisation. Where as Goering who also disliked Rohm convinced Hitler that Rohm was planning a “second revolution” eager to make progress and ignoring Hitler’s plans. The elite and many conservatives were wary of the power and influence of the SS and complained that Hitler was not playing his “puppet” role as chancellor. At this point Hitler was far more concerned with keeping the favour of the elite than he was supporting the SA, seeing as many ordinary Germans and the influential leaders were so against the SA, to simply eradicate them would be Hitler’s easiest option. Seeing as Hitler had performed a task favourable the majority of Germany he had regained the favour of the Conservatives, and was seen as a hero saving his country from the threat of a revolution.

Why Hitler got away with it

First of all many Germans didn’t even consider Hitler to have gotten away with anything. They saw him as a courageous daring leader willing to be ruthless for the good of his Country. When Hitler ordered the “night of the long knives” many people even saw it as a representation of common opinion, and that Hitler was not acting upon his own instinct but upon the call of millions of German citizens. The people that condemned Hitler were less fortunate in expressing their opinions, many dared not say what they thought of the horrific events that were taking place before their eyes. Therefore the second and simplest reason as to why Hitler could get away with the brutal murder of many of his former comrades was that he was the Fuhrer. He was the single most powerful man in Germany. People knew not to badmouth Hitler, and negative propaganda was completely out of the question. Even politicians weren’t safe once they had shared a negative opinion of Hitler or the Nazi’s. Ignoring politics and Hitler’s ability to abuse his supreme position, the Nazi’s were the most formidable and intimidating force a man could have stand behind him. People weren’t afraid of being insulted or offended by political laws or Reichstag badmouthings. They were afraid or being snatched from their beds and ruthlessly murdered by Nazi’s at the command of Hitler. A point well proven when Hitler had Edgar Jung murdered and even Vice Chancellor Papen placed under house arrest as a result of a report published and spoken in front of small audience. From the combined influence of Hitler’s political position, the Nazi’s intimidation and the people’s support Hitler knew his actions resulting in the destruction of the SA would go unpunished.

Who

• Adolf Hitler, Leader of the Nazi party, also supreme Fuhrer of Germany. The man who organised the night of the long knives, effectively condemning many of his colleagues to death to further his own political prowess and public appreciation.
• Ernest Rohm, leader of the Nazi subordinate organisation the SA. Murdered brutally a couple of days after the night of the long knives after refusing to commit suicide.
• Gustav Von Kahr, previous friend and associate of Hitlers murdered during the night of the long knives.
• Gregor Strasser, Left wing socialist and idealist sharing many of Hitler’s ideas in the early days of the Nazi’s. Also murdered during the night of the long knives.
• Schleicher, previous chancellor of Germany killed as a result of the night of the long knives, possible threat to Hitler’s popularity with the elite and the conservatives.
• Heinrich Himmler, Leader of the SS and close friend of Hitler’s. Himmler wanted the SA’s influenced removed from his elite organisation and made this known to Hitler.
• Goering, respected and trusted within the Nazi party and by Hitler himself. Goering disliked Rohm and convinced Hitler he was planning a second revolution.
• Vice Chancellor Papen, disliked Hitler and the SA because of the lawlessness they represented, placed under house arrest for his opinions. Hitler had silenced any further threat from the conservative point of view by doing this.
• Edgar Jung, associate of Papen’s who wrote a report condemning Hitler’s constant abuse of his position. Murdered during the night of the long knives for his opinions.

The significance of Hitler getting away with it

Positive for Hitler

• Hitler gained acceptance of murdering his opponents.
• Hitler gained the loyalty of the army (the army had always despised the influence of the SA and wanted to have sole control of Germany’s forces).
• He silenced his conservative critics.
• He had eliminated the threat of the SA.
• Gained ultimate control and loyalty of the SS.
• He was now seen as the people’s representation, acting upon their wishes.
• Seen as a fearless leader willing to risk it all for Germany’s good.
• Hitler’s opponents would always fear him now, especially seeing as they now knew he could get away with it.

Negative for Hitler

• Many people’s thoughts that Hitler was a ruthless criminal were now realized.
• Germany was now seen as a terror state.
• Hitler’s opponents knew their was no way of standing up to him as he had basically legalized murder of his enemies.