Night of the Long Knives

The Night of the Long Knives (1934) (German, Nacht der langen Messer), also known as Reichsmordwoche or "the Blood Purge", was a lethal purge of potential political rivals in the Sturmabteilung (SA) paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party. Occurring late on a Saturday night, the murders targeted Nazi members who were associated more with socialism than with nationalism, and hence were viewed as a threat by Chancellor Adolf Hitler. It took place a year after the SA had itself been used to expel Communist deputies from the Reichstag, which had permitted the passage of the Enabling Act giving Hitler dictatorial powers.

Related Topics:
1934 - German - Purge - Sturmabteilung - Paramilitary - Nazi Party - Socialism - Nationalism - Chancellor - Adolf Hitler - Communist - Reichstag - Enabling Act

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Official records tally the dead at 77, though some 400 are believed to have been killed.

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