#9 Hitler's Purge Night: The Night of Long Knives
Hitler's purge of the Nazi party that set the stage for the holocaust that no one talks about.
Hello everyone,
Welcome to Things from the Past. Today we will read about one of the deadliest nights during which 100 officials were brutally massacred, and the events which led to the biggest war in world history.
Few other historical events have remained this instrumental in changing the course of human history forever. The peculiar Night of the Long Knives would become the spark igniting the flame, triggering the deadliest war the world would ever see to date.
Painting the Backdrop
Hitler had recently claimed the office of Chancellor of Germany in 1933 and was already receiving a constant barrage of complaints from the German elites. They claimed that the Sturmabteilung (SA) and their frequent political violence were taking their toll on the nation’s security.
The SA was a paramilitary organization co-formed by Hitler’s closest friend Ernst Rohm. The organization had helped the Nazi Party achieve power on the political stage and was a significant factor in Hitler’s appointment as Chancellor. Their numbers continued to bolster, and the group began staging revolts against the government, often through the unnecessary display of violence.
Their erratic behavior was becoming problematic for Hitler. He knew that if he wished to realize his dream of becoming Fuhrer, he needed the support of the German elites and the public. The SA’s military strength exceeded that of the German military, and their rash political ideology was cause for concern amongst many. It was time someone kept them in check.
The Pretense
Hitler was further disillusioned by the heads of the SA when a meeting with them proved unfruitful. Heinrich Himmler, captain of Hitler’s personal guard, the Schutzstaffel (SS), encouraged Hitler to put his private squad to good use and efficiently dispose of the SA leaders.
Hitler was hesitant because this would mean he’d have to betray his close friend Rohm. He ultimately agreed, provided Nazi propaganda could make it seem like an attempt to prevent an imminent coup, justifying the purge. To this extent, the SS planted incriminating evidence in the homes of prominent SA leaders, including Rohm, suggesting their involvement in a potential revolt.
Vice-Chancellor Franz von Papen’s speech on June 17th, 1934, set the wheels in motion by highlighting the political extremism of the SA and pressuring Hitler to take decisive action. Using this as his window of opportunity, Hitler flew to Munich on June 30th, 1934.
Commence the Purge
Arriving in Munich, Hitler was briefed about the SA riot that had taken place in the city streets the night before. Enraged by the Munich Police’s incompetence in maintaining order, he accused their chief, August Schneidhuber, of treachery and ordered his execution.
He then ordered Himmler to round up the SS forces and drive to Hanselbauer Hotel, where the SA leaders, including Rohm, had arrived for a meeting. The SA leaders were still in bed when the SS forces stormed the hotel, busted down the doors to their bedrooms, and forced everyone into the main lobby.
One of the leaders, Edmund Heines, was found in bed with another gentleman. Hitler ordered both of them to be taken outside the hotel and shot for indulging in immoral acts. He wanted to set an example of the punishment for homosexuality under his rule and would continue to weaponize homophobia for his political gain in the future.
The SA leaders were escorted to a Munich prison, where many were outright executed or given 1-minute trials before being sentenced to death by firing squad. Rohm’s fate was left undecided until, upon Hitler’s request, he was handed a pistol to shoot himself. He refused, saying;
“If I am to be killed, let Adolf do it himself.”
The Address That Swept the Nation
A crowd had gathered in support of Hitler back at the Munich party headquarters. In a fit of rage, he declared the recent activities of the SA to be “the worst treachery in world history.” He informed the crowd that henceforth affiliation with disobedient members of the SA would be severely punished, and any hint of treason would promptly be snuffed out.
The crowd, including SA individuals loyal to Hitler and members of the Nazi Party, unanimously erupted into applause. Hitler had now gathered the support of both the public and the elites of Germany. The SA would no longer threaten Hitler’s rule, and he was well on his way to becoming Fuhrer.
The Night came to an end on July 2nd, 1934. Nearly 100 SA officials were executed during the Night, while another 1000 were arrested. Apart from Rohm, notable executed individuals included ex-Chancellor General Kurt von Schleicher, Major General Ferdinand von Bredow, Gustav von Kahr, and Gregor Strasser.
Aftermath of the Purge
Hitler dodged the legal bullet by declaring the massacre a necessary precaution to prevent national instability: an “act of self-defense” by the State. This would set a precedent for the holocaust, as he could now use the “self-defense of the State” justification to launch his campaign against the Jewish population.
He then granted his SS autonomy, allowing them to slowly extend their control over the various police forces across the nation. Under Himmler, the SS now had the legal authority to persecute any opposition to Hitler or the Nazi Party. This action streamlined Hitler’s political ascent and further consolidated his Party’s power. Upon President von Hindenberg’s death on August 2nd, 1934, Hitler immediately claimed the title of Fuhrer and granted himself absolute power.
With all the cogs of his machinery greased, Hitler began the armament of Germany to realize his goal of purifying Germany of the Jews, and the rest is history.
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