The Night of the Long Knives

The Night of the Long Knives

1. Learning
Objectives:
To explain
how Hitler
overcame
the
opposition
facing him
in order to
consolidate
his position
of power
within Nazi
Germany
Night of the Long Knives

2. Night of the Long Knives
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany
RECAP:
How did the Reichstag
Fire & the Enabling Act
help Hitler consolidate
his position of power.
b.socrative.com
ROOM: 418028

3. Night of the Long Knives
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany

4. The Road to Dictatorship
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany
Must - Describe the
events of the Night of
the Long Knives
Should - Explain how
the Night of the Long
Knives increased Hitler’s
power
Could - Make a
judgment about the
most important events
that led to Hitler’s
Dictatorship

5. LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany
The Road to Dictatorship
Hitler wants to become dictator of Germany. As one
of his closest advisor, Hitler wants you to help him.
The obstacles which may stand in his way are:
•Any new laws must be passed by the Reichstag
•There are only 3 Nazis in the government
•He does not have the support of the army which
feels threatened by the SA
•Opposition parties exist
•Hindenburg, the president can sack him at any time

6. Background
•Hitler was Chancellor, but still did not have full
control.
•Opposition from outside the Nazi Party was
being destroyed – Communists were banned and
concentration camps had been set up.
•BUT – some within the Nazi Party opposed Hitler.
ALSO – some important people would not
support Hitler while these opponents remained.
Night of the Long Knives
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany

7. •The Stormtroopers were
also know as the
Brownshirts
•Formed to protects the
Nazi Party in 1921
•Ernst Rohm was their leader
Sturmabteilung (SA)
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany

8. •Some SA members were still
keen on the original ideas of
the Nazi’s – a National
Socialist Revolution
•They wanted rich
landowners and big
businesses to be swept away
or taken over
•Gregor Strasser was the main
believer in this – he had a lot
of supporters
Why were they disloyal?
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany

9. Gregor Strassor was not
keen on Hitler!
‘I am a man marked by death.
Whatever happens, mark what
I say: From now on Germany is
in the hands of an Austrian
who is a congenital liar, a
former officer who is a pervert,
and a clubfoot.
And I tell you the last is the
worst of them all. This is Satan
in human form.’
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany

10. Ernst Rohm, the leader of the SA, also clashed
with Hitler.
He wanted the Brownshirts to become the new
German Army. With him in charge of course
Ernst Rohm
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany

11. Did Rohm know what
was coming?
Adolf is a swine. He will give us all
away. He only associates with
reactionaries now. Adolf knows
exactly what I want. Not a
second edition of the imperial
army. Are we revolutionaries or
aren’t we? We have got to
produce something new, don’t
you see? A new discipline. A new
principle of organisation. The
generals are a lot of old fogies.
(Jan 1933)
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany

12. Was Rohm in a strong
position?
Hitler can’t walk over me as he
did a year ago; I’ve seen that.
Don’t forget that I have three
million men, with every key
position in the hands of my own
people…If Hitler is reasonable I
shall settle the matter quietly; if
he isn’t I must be prepared to
use force – not for my sake but
for the sake of the revolution.
(Jan 1934)
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany

13. Why should HitlerWhy should Hitler
support the support the
SturmabteilungSturmabteilung
(S.A)(S.A)
The S.A. had been in existence
since the early days of The Nazi
Party
The S.A. had supported Hitler and
the Nazis by putting up posters,
handing out leaflets and
intimidating political opponents
throughout the 1920’s and early
1930’s.
The S.A. had more
than 2 million
members by 1934.
The S.A. had fought for Hitler
during the Munich Putsch in
1923
Members of the S.A.
were loyal Nazis
Ernst Rohm shared
Hitler’s vision of a
racially pure society
The S.A. was led by one of
Hitler’s earliest supporters
– Ernst Rohm
Ernst Rohm was
personally loyal to
Hitler

14. Why should HitlerWhy should Hitler
purge the purge the
SturmabteilungSturmabteilung
(S.A)(S.A)
The German Army was well organised
and trained and possessed the
weapons necessary to wage large
scale war
S.A. leaders were demanding
rewards for their loyal service.
They were angry that new
Party Members were receiving
more recognition than they
were
Many Generals and
leading Nazis distrusted
and feared Ernst Rohm
If the S.A. were not brought under
control Hitler may lose the support of
Hindenburg (the President) and
powerful conservatives
Ernst Rohm wanted to
merge the regular
German Army with the
S.A
Ernst Rohm was a
potential rival to Hitler
The S.A. were becoming
lawless by the early
1930’s and were
causing some Germans
to turn against the Nazis
As S.A. membership
grew, they were
becoming harder to
control
The S.A. were good at
breaking up opponents
political meetings, but
they were not a
professional army.
If Hitler supported
the German Army
he would gain the
support of large
businesses

15. What was Hitler’s
Decision?
Hitler complied a hit list of disloyal SA men.
Himmler, Heydrich and Goering were keen to do this.
Viktor Lutze, another SA chief was also willing to help
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany

16. This was of course done
in secret!
Himmler, leader of the
SS, was especially
keen to get rid of
Rohm. He wanted
control of the
concentration camps
and police forces.
Watch you back
Ernst…
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany

17. What happens next?
Read the worksheet - Why
did Hitler turn on the SA in the
Night of the Long Knives?
As you read highlight the
following:
•Key individuals involved in
the event;
•Key events that took place.
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany

18. Death of Hindenburg
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany
On 2nd August 1934 President
Hindenburg died. Within hours,
Hitler had declared himself
President and was now
Commander in Chief of the
German Armed Forces as well
as Chancellor of the
Reichstag. He combined the
offices of President and
Chancellor and declared
himself ‘Führer’ (leader) of the
new Third Reich.

19. The Führer Oath
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany
Hitler made the whole of the army swear an oath of
loyalty to him personally.
‘I swear by almighty God this scared oath:
I will render unconditional obedience to the Führer of the
German Reich and people, Adolf Hitler, supreme
commander of the Wehrmacht, and, as a brave soldier I
am ready at any time to stake my life for this Oath.’
With this final step, Hitler’s power was unquestionable and
his consolidation of power complete

20. How was Hitler able to increase his power
between January 1933 and August 1934?
(8 marks)
You have to explainexplain how this dramatic change
from Chancellor to Dictator happened in just 18
months.
It is important that you don’t just describedescribe (tell a
story).
Every paragraph must have a Point, some
Evidence and an ExplanationExplanation...
Hitler's Consolidation of
Power
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany

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Salad - EvidencecrnaoeoHmshnTnalpT
Meat - Explanation: ToeoflTg
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*History Skills
Builder*Burger/PEEL Paragraphs

22. How was Hitler able to increase his power
between January 1933 and August 1934?
(8 marks)
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany
Answer this question using P-E-E-L.Answer this question using P-E-E-L.
1)Write a brief introduction setting the scene.
In January 1933 Hitler was in a weak position. Hindenburg could
sack him at any time and he had only 33% of the vote.
1)Choose the 3 events you think are the most
important to Hitler’s power increasing.
2)Write a paragraph about each one, making
sure you explain how the event led to Hitler’s
power increasing.
Hitler's Consolidation of
Power

23. How was Hitler able to increase his power
between January 1933 and August 1934?
(8 marks)
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany
Sentence starters...
A key event that helped Hitler increase his power was...
One way Hitler was able to increase his power was...
Another event that led to Hitler increasing his power was...
Useful connectives (for explanation)
This meant that...
This led to...
It enabled him to...
He could now...
This resulted in...
Hitler's Consolidation of
Power

24. Two things you have
learnt
Two things that you
still have questions
LO: To explain how
Hitler overcame the
opposition facing him
in order to consolidate
his position of power
within Nazi Germany
Hitler's Consolidation of
Power

25. Who are shown in the centre of the cartoon?
How have they been portrayed?
Cartoon Analysis

26. Can you explain the cartoon caption:
‘They Salute with Both Hands Now’’?
What is the joke?

27. Describe the appearance of Hitler, Goebbels and Goering.
What point is Low, the cartoonist, trying to make?

28. What is written upon Hitler’s armband? (Go to next slide to enlarge)
What do you think is meant by this?

29. What is written upon Hitler’s armband?
What do you think is meant by this?

30. What has been discarded on the floor? (See message enlarged on
next slide)
What do you think is meant by this?

31. What has been discarded on the floor?
What do you think is meant by this?

32. What has happened to the people in the foreground?
According to the cartoonist who seems most likely to be
responsible for this action?
Give evidence.Cartoon from the London Evening Standard with permission

33. Who are the people surrounding the scene?
Why is their presence so significant?

34. Overall, what is the meaning of the cartoon?
How useful is the cartoon in helping us to understand the
events that occurred during The Night of the Long Knives?

35. So what have I learnt about the S.A.?
(Some information has been added for you)
The S.A. was led by
one of Hitler’s earliest
supporters – Ernst Rohm
The S.A. had supported Hitler and the Nazis by putting up
posters, handing out leaflets and intimidating political
opponents throughout the 1920’s and early 1930’s.

36. So what have I learnt about the reasons for the
Night of the Long Knives?
(Some information has been added for you)
If the S.A. were not brought under control
Hitler may lose the support of Hindenburg
(the President) and powerful
conservatives
The S.A. were
becoming
lawless by the
early 1930’s
and were
causing some
Germans to
turn against the
Nazis

37. So what have I learnt about the consequences of the
Night of the Long Knives?
(Some information has been added for you)
Ernst Rohm, potential rival
to Hitler and leader of the
S.A. was shot dead
At least 83, (but more likely over 200)
people were killed
Hitler’s popularity soared
within the Party and
amongst the German
population