The Night of the Long Knives: Hitler's Consolidation of Power

The Emergence and Suppression of the SA (Brownshirts)

The Sturmabteilung (SA), also known as the Brownshirts, was instrumental in Adolf Hitler's rise to power. Established in 1921 with Ernst Rohm at its helm, the SA functioned as the Nazi Party's paramilitary branch, notorious for its aggressive tactics against political opponents. Initially, its ranks were filled with members of the Freikorps, demobilized soldiers who were fiercely nationalistic and anti-Communist. By 1933, the SA had grown to about 2 million men, surpassing the German Army in size and making Rohm a formidable figure within the Nazi leadership.

The Night of the Long Knives: A Pivotal Event in Nazi Consolidation

From June 30 to July 2, 1934, the Night of the Long Knives saw Adolf Hitler eliminate the SA's leadership and other perceived threats to solidify his control over Nazi Germany. Hitler viewed the SA's burgeoning power, particularly Rohm's influence, as a challenge to his supremacy. The purge was executed with precision, as Hitler garnered the support of the German Army and the SS, and fabricated allegations of a coup plot by Rohm to legitimize the killings.

The Broad Scope of Political Suppression

The Night of the Long Knives targeted not only the SA but also a wide array of individuals whom Hitler deemed as obstacles to his absolute rule. Victims included Gregor Strasser, an influential ex-member of the Nazi Party; Kurt von Schleicher, the final Chancellor of the Weimar Republic; and numerous conservative adversaries and military figures. The extrajudicial killings underscored Hitler's self-anointed role as the 'supreme judge' of the German people, significantly diminishing the SA's power and elevating the SS as the preeminent force in the Nazi power structure.

Strengthening of Hitler's Dictatorial Regime

The Night of the Long Knives had profound implications for Hitler's authority in Germany. The SA's diminished role and the SS's ascension meant that internal challenges to Hitler's leadership were virtually eliminated. The German Army, previously concerned about the SA's potential to overshadow it, now swore loyalty to Hitler, reinforcing his dominance. The purge also received endorsement from President Paul von Hindenburg, who commended Hitler's actions. Hindenburg's subsequent death in August 1934 removed the last significant check on Hitler's power, enabling him to combine the roles of President and Chancellor and solidify his dictatorship.

The Enduring Significance of the Night of the Long Knives

The Night of the Long Knives was a watershed in the Third Reich's history, setting a precedent for the regime's subsequent repressive measures. It reshaped the Nazi government's hierarchy, leading to the SA's decline and the SS's rise to dominance. By declaring himself the 'supreme judge' of Germany, Hitler effectively placed himself above the law, facilitating the establishment of a totalitarian state. The Night of the Long Knives serves as a grim example of Hitler's determination to consolidate his power and the brutal efficiency with which he dispatched his adversaries.