Night+of+the+Long+Knives

= Night of the Long Knives =
 * created by Christine Strang**

Between June 30 - July 2, 1934 Hitler and his followers many people involved in the political sector of Germany. Most shockingly Hitler executed SA leaders and the main leader Ernst Rohm. The SA had began to gain too much power, by the summer of 1934 the group had swollen to 2 million members. Ernst Rohm was their leader, whom had been by Hitler's side since the beginning. Even though Hitler had gained substantial power from the Enabling Act, he was still paranoid that he would be challenged. He was also afraid of the army, as he had promised them that their glory days would return but had been showing no intention to promote that promise. The army only saw Hitler as a corporal, and would not give an oath of allegiance. Himmler, Goebbels and Goering were no fans of Rohm, as they were uncomfortable and jealous over the amount of power he possessed. They convinced Hitler that he was a threat to his position. The SA was no longer needed, what Hitler needed now was support of the army and big industry owners to rebuild Germany and accomplish his long time goal of more living space for the German people.This period not only rid the SA of its leaders, but also got Hitler the army's oath that he needed badly.
 * Event and Motive:**

Hitler made a pact with his traditional army. He had officially deemed Rohm as a threat by the beginning of summer 1934 and was ready to get rid of him. If the SA leaders and Rohm were removed the army would have control of the file and rank of the men in the SA. The only catch was that the army had to swear an oath of loyalty to Hitler. As soon as the army agreed, Rohm's grave was dug.
 * Pre-event Dealings with the Army:**

This prestigious group, sometimes called the Brownshirts, terrorized Germany. It was the force by which the Nazi's could disrupt other political parties and their meetings. They were also used to enforce the law after Hitler became chancellor. They were the main force behind the Nazi Party, and there was never any slight evidence that Rohm and his group was plotting against Hitler. There was close to four million members who full-heartedly believed in National Socialism and wanted to be a revolutionary group in place of the traditional German army. The German army viewed the SA as a threat to military traditions and the importance of rankings. Hitler had promised the army that he would restore their glory, as the Treaty of Versailles had limited them drastically, but the SA was standing in their path to praise. The SA had violently seized control of the streets, and crushed Hitler's military opponents. Now however, the SA was a problem that stood in the way of the future of the NAZI movement and his reign. Himmler and Heydich conjured up false rumours that the SA was planning a Putch (violent take over of power) to get the public against them.
 * SA:**

Many people Hitler thought of as threats were massacred. Rohm was of course murdered as he was the leader of the SA with the most power. Hitler confronted Rohm and some of his men and sent them to Stadelheim prison where they were shot by the SS. This was the usual procedure, except for one case. One of the SA members was discovered in bed with another man, and was executed on the spot. Hitler later partly used homosexual conduct as a reason for the death of some of the SA members, as many SA members were, including Rohm. The exact numbers of how many were killed are unknown, since the documents have been destroyed. Some estimate from 250- 1,000 people. Only around half of those were actual SA officers. Many innocent people were killed after being confused for someone else who had been targeted.
 * Victims:**

As soon as the event concluded, Hitler soon made an announcement to the Reichstag. On July 13, 1934 Hitler announced that while the arrests had taken place he alone was the master judge of Germany. He also praised the SS for carrying out the murders. The SS was had been a highly disciplined sector of the SA and had been founded in 1925 with the intent to be Hitler's personal bodyguard. He was not penalized at all. The SS now became the most feared force in Germany. The leader of the SS was Himmler, whom Hitler admired a great deal. The swift and effective way the SS carried out its orders gave Himmler an upper hand and much power later on. They were the new instrument for mass murder and terrorization. The SA members were inducted into the army when Hitler brought back conscription in 1935.
 * Aftermath:**

//"If anyone reproaches me and asks why I did resort to the regular courts of justice, then all I can say is this: In this hour I was responsible for the fate of the German people, and thereby I became the supreme judge of the German people." - Adolf Hitler on July 13, 1934//

http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/timeline/roehm.htm http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/night_of_the_long_knives.htm