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The Night of the Long Knives

​When?
  • 30th June – 2nd July 1934

What was it?
The Night of the Long Knives was a purge carried out by Hitler and the Nazi regime to eliminate internal threats — especially the leadership of the SA (Sturmabteilung).

Key People Involved
  • Adolf Hitler – Ordered the purge to strengthen his power.
  • Ernst Röhm – Leader of the SA, seen as a threat by Hitler.
  • Heinrich Himmler – Head of the SS, who helped carry out the purge.
  • General von Hindenburg – German President at the time, supported Hitler’s move.
  • Army leaders – Supported the purge in exchange for Hitler’s promise to limit the SA.

Why Did It Happen? (Causes)
  1. Power Struggle with the SA
    • The SA had over 2 million members.
    • Röhm wanted the SA to take over the regular army.
    • Hitler feared Röhm's growing power and ambitions.
  2. To Win the Army’s Support
    • The army was much smaller than the SA but more professional.
    • Hitler needed the army’s loyalty for his future plans, especially rearmament.
  3. Pressure from Conservatives
    • Business leaders and conservatives feared Röhm's socialist ideas.
    • They pressured Hitler to take action against the SA.
  4. Strengthening the SS
    • Himmler wanted the SS to replace the SA as the main Nazi force.
    • The purge allowed the SS to rise in power.

What Happened?
  • Hitler ordered the SS to arrest and execute around 400 people, including Röhm and other SA leaders.
  • Some political opponents, like former Chancellor Kurt von Schleicher, were also killed.
  • Röhm was arrested and later shot, after refusing to commit suicide.

Consequences
  1. Hitler’s Power Increased
    • He removed both real and imagined enemies.
    • Gained the army’s loyalty after the purge.
  2. The SS Rose in Power
    • The SS replaced the SA as the dominant force in Nazi Germany.
    • Became central to the police state.
  3. SA Weakened
    • SA membership declined, and it lost political influence.
    • Became a minor part of the Nazi system.
  4. Legalised Political Murder
    • The purge was made legal after the fact.
    • Showed Hitler could use violence with no consequences.

Quick Summary: The Night of the Long Knives was a turning point that helped Hitler:
  • Eliminate rivals like Röhm and the SA
  • Gain the army’s support
  • Strengthen the SS
  • Establish a dictatorship based on fear and violence