The Night of the Long Knives Flashcards
Who was Ernst Rohm?
Leader of the SA
Who was the leader of the SA?
Ernst Rohm
Which organisation did not fully trust Hitler?
The German army
Who were the German army particularly worried about?
The SA - they believed Rohm wanted to replace the German army with the SA
Why did the army fear the SA so much?
The army only had 100,000 men - the SA had approximately 4 million
Why did Hitler need the loyalty of the army?
They were realistically the only organisation left with the power to remove him
When previously had the army halted Hitler’s plans?
During the Munich Putsch - they had quickly shut down the attempted seizure of power
Why did some in the army look down on Hitler?
Many in the army were from upper-class German families
What sort of policies did the SA and Rohm in particular support?
More left-wing policies to bring greater equality (this concerned big industrialists - a group whose support Hitler needed)
Which of Hitler’s policies did the army like?
The more nationalist ones: e.g. Lebensraum (living space), taking back the land lost in the Treaty of Versailles
When did the Night of the Long Knives take place?
29-30 June 1934
How many is it estimated were executed during the Night of the Long Knives?
Approximately 400
Apart from Rohm, which other notable individual was killed in the Night of the Long Knives?
Former Chancellor Kurt von Schliecher - a fierce critic of Hitler
What did Hindenburg say about the Night of the Long Knives?
He thanked Hitler for his ‘determined action which has nipped treason in the bud’
Although the SA was not disbanded, what happened to it after the Night of the Long Knives?
It was relegated to a minor role, subordinate to the SS
What did Hitler show with the Night of the Long Knives?
- He was not afraid to use brutal violence - Terror would be key to his rule of Germany
How many did Hitler claim had been killed during the Night of the Long Knives?
Only 83
What key event happened on 2 Aug. 1934 shortly after the Night of the Long Knives?
Hindenburg died
What did Hitler do the same day as Hindenburg’s death?
He took over as Supreme Leader (Fuhrer) of Germany
What did Hitler make the army do once he became Fuhrer?
He made them swear an oath of loyalty to him (rather than Germany)
When did Hitler become Fuhrer?
2 August 1934
Why was the oath of loyalty from the army to Hitler significant?
It meant he now had no opposition left to his rule
