成人快手

Consolidation of power - WJECNight of the Long Knives

In January 1933, leading a coalition government with only two other Nazis in the cabinet, Hitler was expected to only survive a short period as Chancellor. However just 18 months later, he declared himself the sole ruler and F眉hrer of Germany. How did the Nazis consolidate their power between 1933 and 1934?

Part of HistoryGermany in transition, 1919-1939

Night of the Long Knives

30 June 1934

Many members of the SA, including its leader Ernst R枚hm, were demanding that the Nazi party carry out its socialist agenda and that the SA take over the army. Hitler could not afford to annoy businessmen or the army, so the SS (Hitler's personal bodyguards) murdered around 400 members of the SA, including R枚hm, along with a number of Hitler's other opponents like the previous Chancellor, von Schleicher.

This destroyed all opposition to Hitler within the Nazi Party and gave power to the brutal SS. It also showed the rest of the world what a tyrant Hitler was. This removed any internal Nazi Party opposition to Hitler.

Hitler becomes F眉hrer

19 August 1934

Portrait of Adolf Hitler.

After Hindenburg died, Hitler declared himself jointly president, chancellor and head of the army. This formally made Hitler the absolute ruler of Germany.

Members of the armed forces had to swear a personal oath of allegiance not to Germany, but to Hitler. This neutralised any sources of opposition to Hitler within the army.