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The Rest Is History

404. The Nazis in Power: The Night of the Long Knives (Part 1)

Jan 1, 2024
Delve into the chilling events of the Night of the Long Knives, where Hitler orchestrated a violent purge against his own party. Discover the treacherous power struggles between Hitler and Ernst Röhm's SA, revealing the dark intricacies of Nazi politics. Explore the absurdity and horror of betrayal, with a touch of grotesque humor. Examine how this brutal act solidified Hitler's control while creating a seemingly stable regime, contrasting public support with the deadly internal conflicts that defined early Nazi Germany.
57:08

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The Night of the Long Knives was a brutal purge orchestrated by Adolf Hitler to eliminate his political rivals and consolidate his power.
  • Following the Night of the Long Knives, Hitler further consolidated his power and solidified his position as the sole leader of Nazi Germany.

Deep dives

Night of the Long Knives: Hitler purges the SA and consolidates power

The Night of the Long Knives, which took place from June 30 to July 2, 1934, was a brutal purge orchestrated by Adolf Hitler to eliminate his political rivals and consolidate his power. Hitler targeted the Sturmabteilung (SA), also known as the stormtroopers, who had become increasingly unruly and were viewed as a threat to his leadership. Under the guise of stopping a fictional coup plot, Hitler ordered the arrest and execution of SA members, including their leader Ernst Röhm. Additionally, Hitler used the opportunity to eliminate conservative opponents and rivals within the Nazi party and the military. The purge resulted in the death of approximately 85 individuals and solidified Hitler's control over the German government and military. The Nazi regime portrayed the events as necessary for the stability and security of Germany, and the German public largely supported the actions, viewing them as a means to restore order and eliminate internal threats.

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