The Night Of The Long Knives. Flashcards
What was hitlers response to the SA’s demands? And did it have the desired effect?
Hitler demanded that the party accept:
The realities of the political compromise
The necessity of change from above not below. Hitler wanted evolution but the SA wanted revolution.
No, many meetings like this were held
What was happening to the SA? What did they want? Why didn’t hitler give them what they wanted?
SA were gradually getting out of control
They wanted:
More nazis to be in positions of power
To reform to help the working classes
To incorporate the army into the SA
Hitler didn't give them what they wanted because he needed them because they had an education and experience that could help him. Because the SA were mainly working class they wanted to have a personal gain that hitler wasn't bothered about They wanted to become the new German army but hitler couldn't do this because he knew that the army could get agitated and stop them although they were smaller in numbers they were professionals and hitler needed them to like him so that they would let him get more power.
Who was the leader of the SA and what is his relation to Hitler?
Ernst Röhm: he was one of Hitlers oldest allies
After a while did things quieten down? Why was this the case? Why was it a problem?
No.
The longer the SA went on about taking over the army the more pissed off the army got.
The army could easily beat the SA and overthrow Hitler. They could stop hitler from getting to power.
Hitler had to make a choice. What were the reasons to keep the SA?
2 and a half million had committed to the nazis and it was lead by hitlers oldest political friend.
Hitler had to make a choice. What were the reasons to let go of the SA?
The SA went against the basic and continuing trend of legality.
The conservatives we’re being alienated by the violence but hitler needed them…
The disruption of a second revolution would jeopardise the fragile economic recovery that was underway and which was essential for popular support.
Hitler had to make a choice. What did hitler need from the army?
Hitler needed the army’s military skills for his foreign policy aims that were already clear in his mind so he could:
Destroy the treaty of Versailles.
Who does hitler have to chose? Why does it take so long?
The army.
He is friends with Röhm and the SA helped him gain power
What as the SS?
The SS was a part of the SA lead by Himmler. They were hitlers personal body guards.
What was about to happen regarding Himdenburg? Why was this a problem?
Hindenburg was old and the old bit wasn’t gonna last long
There would be an election.
Why didn’t hitler want to deal with an election after Hindenburg’s death?
There was a chance he wouldn’t win because the army wouldn’t allow it because of the SA.
What was the last straw that led hitler to get rid of the main people in the SA? Who caused it? Why?
The last straw was a rumour “Röhm was about to overthrow the army”
Goering and Himmler
Goering didn’t like Röhm (most likely cos Röhm was gay)
Himmler wanted to get rid of Röhm because he wanted more power.
When was the night of the long knives? Why?
30th June 1934
The SS destroyed the SA and committed approximately 400 murders in 24 hours
How were the army involved in the night of the long knives?
Indirectly.
They provided weapons and transport
Promised to not interfere.
Who were the victims of the night of the long knives?
Röhm
Other main leaders of SA
Schleicher
And basic,y anyone else hitler had a grudge against.
