The Night of Long Knives Flashcards
(18 cards)
What was the position of the Army in January 1934?
100,000 troops, official military of the German State, limited by the Treaty of Versailles, an organised Prussian institution.
What was the position of the SA in January 1934?
3,000,000 members, militia force of the Nazi Party, not limited by the Treaty of Versailles, a rabble of unruly brutes, violent and unpredictable.
Who was Ernst Rohm?
Army captain in WWI, joined Freikorps, employed by the army to gather information, met Hitler in 1919, helped establish the SA, took control of the SA in 1930.
What were Rohm’s views on the SA?
Wanted the SA to replace the army, had radical views and lifestyle that embarrassed Hitler.
What was the outcome of the SA violence for Hitler?
SA violence threatened Nazi enemies but Hitler ensured attacks on the police and army did not happen.
What did the one-party state established in July 1933 signify?
It meant that the Second Revolution was over.
What did Rohm demand in August 1933?
He demanded the army become part of the SA.
What happened to the SA’s status in August 1933?
Lost their ‘auxiliary police’ status and had stricter regulations placed on them.
Why did tensions grow between the Army and the SA?
The army was loyal to Hindenburg and had the power to remove Hitler, while the SA was loyal to Rohm and called for a Second Revolution.
What action did Papen take against the Nazis?
Made a speech at Marburg University criticizing the Nazis and calling for an end to the SA’s terror.
What was the last straw that forced Hitler to act?
Blomberg threatened to declare martial law and give the army power to deal with the SA.
What happened on June 30, 1934?
The Night of the Long Knives: 84 executed, over 1000 imprisoned, SA hierarchy purged.
Who were the chief planners of the Night of the Long Knives?
Heinrich Himmler and Reinhard Heydrich.
What did Hitler tell the Reichstag on July 13?
He accepted full responsibility for the executions, acting as the supreme judge to save Germany from an SA coup.
What was the effect of the purge on the SA?
SA declined in power and popularity, with only 1.6 million members by October 1935.
How successful was Hitler’s purge?
Incredibly successful at securing his position, removing opposition, and earning army and public support.
What impression does Schleicher’s murder give about the purge?
It suggests the SS entered homes to quickly execute targets, indicating an organized and efficient purge.
What does the organization of the purge suggest about the Nazi regime going forward?
It suggests the regime would be more organized and terror-filled, removing elements of mob rule.
