The Night of the Long Knives: Hitler's Purge of the SA

Background

The Sturmabteilung (SA), also known as the "Brownshirts," was a paramilitary organization that played a key role in Adolf Hitler's rise to power in Germany. However, by 1934, Hitler had come to view the SA as a potential threat to his authority.

The Plot

On the night of June 30, 1934, Hitler ordered the execution of several SA leaders, including Ernst Röhm, the SA's chief of staff. The purge, known as the "Night of the Long Knives," was carried out by the SS, Hitler's elite guard.

The Aftermath

The Night of the Long Knives effectively eliminated the SA as a threat to Hitler's power. It also consolidated the SS's position as the primary enforcer of the Nazi regime.

Significance

The Night of the Long Knives is considered a turning point in the history of Nazi Germany. It marked the beginning of Hitler's absolute dictatorship and the end of any semblance of pluralism or dissent within the party.

Conclusion

The Night of the Long Knives was a brutal reminder of Hitler's ruthlessness and the totalitarian nature of the Nazi regime. It paved the way for the Holocaust and other atrocities that would follow.