The Night of the Long Knives

30th June, 1934

A list had been drawn up, including Strasser, von Schliecher and von Kahr.

On the 29th of June, Hitler went to Wiesse where he personally arrested Rohm and 200 other SA members.

Hitler decided to pardon Rohm but Heinrich Himmler and Hermann Goering said Rohm should die.

Hitler first insisted Rohm would be allowed to commit suicide but Rohm refused and was shot by 2 SS men.

• Rohm was replaced by Victor Lutze. The SA lost power gradually

• It was kept secret but announced on 13th July. Hitler claimed:

• 61 executed

• 13 shot

• 3 comitted suicide

• Other say that as many as 400 were killed

• Hitler gave a speech explaining why he did it

Why?

1934-Hitler had complete control but feared he would be ousted.

He used the divide and rule tactic to keep members in line and encourage competition.

This led to many disliking each other

Rohm was hated as leader of the SA and as he could remove others from their position

Reinhard Heydrich produced evidence that Rohm had been given 12 million marks by the French to overthrow Hitler.

Hitler refused to believe it. Without him, the Nazis couldn't have existed: military support during the elections.

Fear from the generals that the SA could absorb the army.

Industrialists did not like Rohm's socialist views and economy as he believed in a revolution.

Many Nazis disapproved as Rohm was a homosexual.

Hitler realised that Rohm had the power to remove hi

Goering and Himmler fed him information that Stresser was part of a conspiracy.

Hitler ordered all SA men to a meeting in Wiesse