Ernst Röhm was born in 1887 and is considered a central figure in the early days of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP). His role as leader of the Sturmabteilung, or SA, not only shaped the formation of the paramilitary organization but also significantly influenced the political landscape in Germany during the Weimar Republic. The Sturmabteilung was founded in 1920 and initially served as a protective force for the NSDAP to secure its meetings and events. Röhm led this organization with a deep conviction in the ideals of the NSDAP and presented it as a means to pursue the revolutionary goals of the party. Röhm's influence within the NSDAP was significant, particularly in the period before Hitler's final takeover of power. His military experience and charismatic demeanor made him an important leader who attracted many young men to the SA. Under his leadership, the SA adopted a violent and aggressive image, intensifying street fights between political opponents, especially the Communists.Röhm was convinced that the SA should play a revolutionary role in the social transformation of Germany. He propagated the idea that the SA could be not just a paramilitary organization, but also a new army of the National Socialists, replacing the Reichswehr. Over time, the number of SA members grew rapidly, reaching millions in the early 1930s. This expansion led to a strengthening of the SA and a corresponding increase in power for Röhm. The SA acted with increasing confidence and claimed more influence in the political landscape, which endangered Hitler's strategic agenda. As Hitler consolidated his power, he realized that Röhm and the SA posed a threat to his plans. Röhm's loyalty to his SA men and his ambitions for military control presented a challenge to Hitler's authority.Röhm was a staunch advocate for the "socialist" aspects of National Socialist ideology, which also included the redistribution of wealth and the creation of greater social justice. However, as the NSDAP began to distance itself from these original socialist goals in order to gain the support of German industry and the Wehrmacht, Röhm increasingly found himself at odds with the party's new priorities. These tensions ultimately culminated in the so-called "Night of the Long Knives" in 1934 – a brutal power struggle within the NSDAP during which Röhm and many of his supporters were murdered. In the eyes of the NSDAP, Röhm was not only a potential rival but also a symbol of a militant and unruly SA that had too much influence in the political landscape of Germany and among the various centers of power. These decisive events led to Röhm's death and marked a turning point in the history of National Socialism, as Hitler was then able to take control of the entire paramilitary structure in Germany and beyond. Röhm's influence as leader of the SA and his vision to steer the national movement in a more revolutionary direction ended tragically, but his role remains an important chapter in the history of National Socialism and German politics in the early 20th century. The Sturmabteilung, better known as the SA, played a crucial and often violent role during the Nazis' rise to power in 1933.This paramilitary organization, which was founded in 1920, aimed to secure the influence of the NSDAP and to combat its political opponents. With its aggressive tactics and presence on the streets, the SA not only provided support for the NSDAP but also responded to the challenges faced by the political movement in the most turbulent phase of the Weimar Republic. At a time when the party was under pressure from communist and socialist groups, the SA became an indispensable tool for maintaining control over the streets and public opinion. The SA often operated with brutal methods. Its members, distinguished by uniforms and a pronounced hierarchy, were able to use violence against political opponents to suppress their influence and activities. This occurred in the form of assaults on assembly-free rivals, particularly against communists and social democrats.The SA was known for disrupting rival political events, harassing opponents, and ultimately committing murders. This aggression instilled fear among various opposition members and led many of them to no longer dare to protest or mobilize against the National Socialists. The use of violence ensured that the SA was perceived as a power in the political landscape, which helped the NSDAP solidify its position and gain access to political power. The crucial moment for the takeover of power was the Reichstag election in March 1933, which took place after the burning of the Reichstag building in February. The SA exploited the unrest to intensify its attacks on the opposition forces. The fear of a communist coup was skillfully instrumentalized in Nazi propaganda, so that the population willingly accepted the actions of the SA to fend off supposed threats.Hitler's government implemented emergency decrees that restricted civil rights and granted extensive powers to the police and the SA (Sturmabteilung) to act against political opponents. This led to a systematic arrest and intimidation of communists, social democrats, and other dissenters, while the SA acted as the guardian of the newly established Nazi order. The SA was also instrumental in exerting pressure on Reichstag members to vote for laws that favored the NSDAP and its ideology. The oppressive climate created by the SA through its violent actions caused many deputies to agree to the national socialist party out of fear of reprisals and violence. This interplay of intimidation and political pressure contributed to the NSDAP not only becoming the strongest force in the new Reichstag but also gaining unparalleled power in the German political system. The events leading to the rise to power demonstrate how crucial the SA was to the Nazis' plans.She was not only a means of intimidation but also a tool to exploit social tensions and channel them for one's own purposes. The brutal methods of the SA, along with their determination to suppress opponents, meant that the NSDAP was quickly on its way to transitioning into an authoritarian regime. These political and social dynamics, accompanied by the violence of the SA, paved the way for the establishment of dictatorship under Adolf Hitler and the subsequent atrocities that would sweep across Germany and Europe.
Ernst Röhm was not only the leader of the Sturmabteilung (SA) but also one of Adolf Hitler's closest confidants and played a significant role in the early years of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP). Their relationship began in the turbulent political times of the Weimar Republic, when Hitler and Röhm worked together to create a platform for National Socialism. Röhm, a charismatic and energetic character, was fascinated by Hitler's vision and his ability to mobilize the masses. From the very beginning, he helped organize the SA as the paramilitary arm of the NSDAP, which was crucial for consolidating the power of the National Socialists against political opponents and neutralizing the influence of socialist and communist forces. Röhm's support was of utmost importance to Hitler, as the SA at that time was one of the few effective organizational structures that the NSDAP had.Röhm enjoyed great esteem among the SA members and served as a link to the many young men attracted by socialist ideology, who were ready to channel their aggression and political ambitions for national renewal. Under his leadership, the SA grew dramatically, both in terms of membership numbers and its social presence. It became a symbol of the emerging National Socialism, and its stormtroopers aggressively advocated for the party's interests. An important aspect of Röhm's role in Hitler's rise to power was his participation in numerous political meetings and rallies, where the SA often appeared with previously unknown enthusiasm and aggressive machismo. Röhm was able to excite and mobilize the masses, supporting Hitler's vision of establishing a strong and fascist political force. Together, they practiced a form of political rhetoric that exploited fears and emotions, bringing people together to oppose the political establishment perceived as a threat.In these early years, Röhm's support for Hitler was not only a matter of loyalty but also a strategic alliance that helped both actors influence the game of political intrigue in the Weimar Republic to their advantage. Röhm and Hitler were mutually dependent on each other. While Hitler benefited from Röhm's strength and his ability to unite the masses behind the SA, Röhm desired to gain influence within the NSDAP and rise in the political hierarchy of the new government. Röhm hoped that the SA would be recognized as a kind of revolutionary and social force in the new Nazi regime, which would ultimately place him in a position of power. The two men complemented each other in their quest for national greatness, with Hitler taking on the political strategy and public confrontation and Röhm handling the street movement and direct political pressure. With the seizure of power in 1933 and the subsequent support of the SA, which played a crucial role in intimidating political opponents, the partnership between Hitler and Röhm seemed to flourish.However, despite their close familiarity, this relationship was not without tensions. As Hitler increasingly sought to stabilize and consolidate the German state, he saw Röhm's ambitions and the power of the SA as a potential threat. Röhm and the SA aimed for extensive militarization and a revolutionary approach, which contradicted Hitler's plans for a controlled and authoritarian rule. In the following years, a deep rift developed between Röhm and Hitler, ultimately culminating in the events of the Night of the Long Knives in 1934, when Röhm and many of his closest associates were removed. This brutal purge marked the end of Röhm as a political actor and the final consolidation of Hitler's power. Despite Röhm's swift downfall, the complexity of their relationship and the significance of his role in the rise of the National Socialists not only highlight the dynamics of loyalty and power in politics but also emphasize the central importance of networks and connections in the manipulation of historical narratives.
Ernst Röhm had a visionary idea of the future of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) and German society as a whole.He aspired to a "second revolutionary wave" that would guide the already initiated changes of the National Socialist movement in a deeper, social-revolutionary direction. Röhm dreamed of a restructuring of social and economic systems that went beyond the seizure of power in 1933. He believed that the NSDAP needed more than just a national revival; it should also address the social grievances of the Weimar Republic. His conviction was that a genuine revolutionary change had to include not only the elimination of political opponents but also a fundamental redistribution of power and wealth in society, as well as the eradication of the existing class structure. Driven by a strongly militarized and populist ideology, Röhm saw the SA, which he led, as the instrument for realizing his revolutionary ambitions. For him, the SA represented not only a paramilitary arm of the NSDAP but also a social movement.He wanted to develop the SA into an organization that represented the interests of the "common people," especially workers and socially disadvantaged groups. Röhm believed that National Socialism should be not only a nationalist but also a socialist project, one that included the masses and could reflect the social tensions within society. However, these ideas created tensions with the existing military elite, particularly the Reichswehr, which aimed to preserve the old order and resist a social upheaval. The Reichswehr, which had represented a central institution of German politics and society for centuries, viewed Röhm's approach with increasing concern. The officers of the Reichswehr feared that the SA and its revolutionary agenda could endanger the military hierarchy and disrupt the balance of power in the country. Röhm, on the other hand, believed that closer cooperation between the SA and the Reichswehr was desirable and that a stronger influence of the SA in military matters fundamentally contradicted the values and the status quo of the Reichswehr.This ongoing rivalry between the SA, led by Röhm, and the Reichswehr, controlled by a conservative, traditional elite, created a deep rift that led to various conflicts in the following years. These tensions ultimately culminated in the famous "Night of the Long Knives" in June 1934, when Hitler, fearing a possible coup and Röhm's growing power, decided to dismantle the SA and eliminate its leadership. Röhm was portrayed as a traitor, and his ambitions were discredited as a threat to national unity. The Reichswehr, which needed Hitler's support, now felt that its power base could be solidified by opposing the revolutionary tendencies within the NSDAP. In this context, the relationship between Röhm and Hitler, as well as the radical ideas that Röhm wanted to represent with the SA, became one of the central moments in which the fundamental conflicts within the Nazi movement became apparent. It is important to note that Röhm's vision of a social revolution, intrinsically linked to the idea of equality and a transformation of the existing social structure, fit into the larger framework of Nazi ideology.However, it became clear that Hitler's conception of National Socialism was based on a different, strongly authoritarian and hierarchical foundation that was devoid of socialist elements. These differences not only shaped the political landscape of the time but also led to a dramatic turning point in Röhm and Hitler's relationship, which forever changed the fate of the SA and the direction of the National Socialist movement. Röhm and his ideals were ultimately identified as a threat to Hitler's aspirations for power, resulting in the sad but significant downfall of one of the most exciting and ambitious ideologues of the National Socialist era.
The Sturmabteilung (SA) played a crucial role in the rise of the National Socialists by creating an atmospheric climate of fear that was essential for establishing their rule. The aggressive tactics of the SA were one of the primary means by which the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) intimidated its political opponents and kept the population in a state of permanent uncertainty. The SA acted as a paramilitary organization that was an indispensable tool for the National Socialists during the first half of the 1930s, especially during the Weimar Republic. Through violence and brutal assaults, the SA not only secured space for the NSDAP but also created the conditions necessary for gaining political power.The SA employed a variety of tactics to achieve their goals, including sleep disturbances, raids on meetings of political opponents, and physical attacks on individuals deemed a threat by the NSDAP. These acts of violence were not random but systematically planned to create an atmosphere of fear. The SA knew that their opponents could not move freely or conduct their political activities without interference due to the constant danger they posed. For example, social democratic and communist events were repeatedly disrupted by SA troops, leading many citizens to withdraw from political participation or reconsider attending such events. This targeted intimidation allowed the NSDAP to spread its propaganda unimpeded while pushing opposition parties into a defensive position. In addition, the SA established a system of spying and surveillance that penetrated deeply into society.The members of the SA were generally recruited from the lower to middle strata of the population, and their aggression often stemmed from a sense of social injustice and mistreatment in the Weimar Republic. By erecting a wall of violence between the NSDAP and its political opponents, the stage of political debate was lost, creating a climate in which no perspective other than the National Socialist was tolerated. This allowed a sense of powerlessness to spread in society, as many people, out of fear of violence and repression, yielded and accepted or at least tolerated the political ideals of the National Socialists. The combination of physical violence, threats, and a ruthless crackdown on political opponents led many citizens around them to feel the power of the SA, which significantly impacted the overall social mood. In many cities and communities, people suffered from psychological stress due to the ongoing sense of insecurity and open repression. The tactics of the SA, particularly the creation of an atmospheric climate of fear, were therefore not only designed to defeat the political opponent but also served to manipulate public perception.People were always more vigilant, and anonymous threats became part of everyday life. The SA also conducted systematic violence against minorities and political opponents, which supported their rise to power. The anti-Semitic attacks that occurred during this time are especially noteworthy, as they laid the groundwork for one of the darkest periods in German history. By appearing early in the political arena as an aggressive instrument, the SA provided the NSDAP with the opportunity to underscore their ideas not only through speeches but also through actions. Those who opposed the National Socialist ideology faced immediate danger, which ultimately accelerated the pace of Hitler's rise to power. In summary, it can be said that the aggressive tactics of the SA - a targeted use of fear and violence - significantly contributed to creating an atmospheric climate of fear.This climate was crucial for the NSDAP to push through its political agenda and suppress the opposition. The SA thus became one of the central instruments of the National Socialists, paving the way for their seizure of power and the subsequent brutal repressions in Germany.
Ernst Röhm was a controversial figure in the history of the Sturmabteilung (SA) and bore a multifaceted identity that deviated in many ways from the social norms and moral concepts of his time. One of the most prominent aspects of his life was his openly declared homosexuality. Röhm accepted his sexual orientation openly and integrated it into his life, which brought him both political power and significant difficulties. At a time when homosexuality was heavily stigmatized and legally prosecuted in Germany, Röhm represented a kind of exception that revealed an increasingly complex and contradictory image of the National Socialist movement. In the early years of the NSDAP, Röhm was a central figure due to his charisma, military experience, and unwavering loyalty to Adolf Hitler. The SA, under his leadership, was not only a paramilitary organization aimed at violently suppressing the political opponents of the National Socialists but also a gathering of various men, including many who were also homosexual.In the SA, Röhm saw a platform not only to realize his political ambitions but also to create a kind of community where he and other homosexual men could come together under a common goal. This led to the perception of the SA in certain circles as a sort of safe haven for men with similar inclinations. However, Röhm was aware that his homosexuality directly contradicted the aggressive and heteronormative ideals of Nazi ideology. Despite Hitler's initial tolerance towards Röhm and his lifestyle, his sexuality increasingly came under scrutiny from the national leadership. As the SA gained more power, internal tensions became apparent – both within the SA and in its relationship with the Reichswehr and the broader Nazi movement. The regime's increasingly authoritarian stance, which often propagated a stifling view of gender roles and sexuality, posed a significant challenge for Röhm and his followers.These contradictions ultimately culminated in an explosive tension between Röhm and the Nazi leadership as the focus of the party increasingly shifted towards a tight control over the social image. In particular, the Reichswehr, which cultivated a conservative and strongly heterosexual male culture, saw Röhm and his homosexuality as a threat to their ideals. It can be argued that Röhm had maneuvered himself into a corner as his ambitions to unify the SA and the armed forces and to pursue a "second revolution" increasingly conflicted with the traditional military and societal values of the time. The progressive social-political agenda that Röhm possibly sought for the SA could not unfold in the increasingly repressive and authoritarian atmosphere established by the Nazi leaders. On the Night of the Long Knives in 1934, when Hitler and the loyal forces eliminated the SA leadership, particularly Röhm, this was also a definitive reckoning with Röhm and his open homosexuality. The violent removal of the SA leader was portrayed by the NSDAP not only as a political necessity but also as a measure to nip in the bud the attempt to establish a new comparatively liberal order within the NSDAP. Ultimately, the biography of Ernst Röhm illustrates the complexity of the political landscape of the early NSDAP. His homosexuality was both a source of strength and a weakness, and it became clear that the time of political repression and homophobia could also shatter a man’s revolutionary ideas and ambitions. While Röhm was undeniably a key figure in the history of the SA, his fate illustrated how closely power politics and social norms are intertwined – and how ideological fundamental discussions could ultimately drive even the closest confidants of the leaders into the contradictions of their own movement.
With the rise of the SS under Heinrich Himmler as its leader, a decisive turning point began within the Nazi power structure that had significant implications for the Sturmabteilung (SA) and its prominent leader Ernst Röhm. The SS was originally founded as a small, elite unit within the SA to protect the loyalty of the Führer, but gradually evolved into a powerful and influential organization responsible not only for the regime’s security but also for the execution of its most brutal measures. While the SA played a crucial role in the early years of the NSDAP in eliminating political opponents and creating an atmosphere of fear, the power dynamics within the Nazi hierarchy began to shift as Himmler and the SS gained influence. Himmler, a staunch advocate of Nazi ideology, had a clear vision for the SS that extended beyond the original tasks of the SA. He sought to shape the SS into an organization responsible for carrying out mass arrests, detaining political opponents, and systematically persecuting various population groups. This created a clear area of tension between the SA and the SS, as both organizations competed for power, influence, and resources. While the SA, under Röhm and his increasingly revolutionary rhetoric, still held on to the idea of a social revolution, the SS, on the other hand, pursued a strictly hierarchical and racist agenda focused on establishing a totalitarian order. A central problem for Röhm was that his ambitions to integrate the SA into a larger military role within the state did not align with the SS's strategy. Himmler and the SS leadership had no interest in strengthening the SA as a competing force within the Nazi regime. Instead, it was clear to them that they needed to assert control over the paramilitary activities and push the SA into the background. This led to a gradual but unstoppable decline in the influence of the SA and Röhm. Röhm, who had played a prominent role in the early phase of the Nazis' rise to power, increasingly found himself on the defensive.Another fundamental factor was the politics of violence that was introduced by the SS. While the SA often inclined towards violent excesses and did not always respect public order in their aggression, the SS pursued a harsher and more systematic form of violence. This methodology was increasingly seen by the Nazi leadership as more effective in gaining control over the population and suppressing opposition movements. The role of the SA was therefore not only marginalized, but its existence began to erode under the steadily increasing pressure from the SS. The situation ultimately escalated in 1934 during the so-called "Night of the Long Knives." Hitler's decision to eliminate Röhm and other SA leaders was not only an expression of his takeover of power but also a measure to consolidate control over the Nazi movement. Hitler's support for Himmler and the SS grew, making the predominance of the SS evident.Röhm was stripped of his power, and it was evident that the SA no longer held the same weight under the new order as it had in the early years of the NSDAP. The influence of the SA had not only waned, but its role as a paramilitary force was also called into question. Consequently, it became clear that Himmler and the SS were not only erasing the power of the SA but also the legacy of Röhm himself. What had once begun as a revolutionary force had now succumbed to a brutal power politics that pushed the SA into the shadows of history. Röhm and his visionary intentions, which had seemed so promising in the early years of the movement, were confronted with the unstoppable rise of an organization that radiated a conviction ready to suppress its opponents by any means necessary. Thus, the rise of the SS and the gradual erosion of the SA's power shed light on the internal power politics within the National Socialist movement and demonstrated how quickly the wind can change when it comes to power and control in a totalitarian regime.
During the so-called "Night of the Long Knives," which took place from the night of June 30 to July 1, 1934, the national political landscape of Germany experienced a dramatic and bloody upheaval that had lasting effects on the National Socialist regime and its internal power structures.On this night, Ernst Röhm, the leader of the Sturmabteilung (SA), and numerous of his closest supporters were systematically murdered. These events marked the preliminary peak of the power struggles within the NSDAP and led to the definitive destruction of Röhm's influence and the SA. The SA had played a central role in the early years of the Third Reich in the Nazis' rise to power. It was responsible for the violent suppression of political opponents and the intimidation of the population. Röhm had gained significant importance and following with his charismatic and revolutionary rhetoric. However, his vision of a "social revolution" and his efforts to transform the SA into a significant military force increasingly attracted the attention of the Nazi leadership, particularly Adolf Hitler and Heinrich Himmler. Pressure on Röhm grew as the SS under Himmler's leadership gained influence and the loyalty of many high-ranking officers in the Reichswehr shifted to the new organization.Hitler increasingly saw Röhm, whose ambitions and personal loyalty to Hitler were initially undeniable, as a threat. Röhm's efforts to make the SA the decisive paramilitary force of the regime increasingly collided with Hitler's plans to consolidate power and control over the armed forces. Röhm's public acknowledgment of his homosexuality and his open handling of personal relationships also aroused distrust and rejection not only among military leaders but also in the general public. This led to a dwindling support for Röhm, not least within the ranks of the NSDAP. Hitler's decision to eliminate Röhm during the Night of the Long Knives was thus determined by both strategic considerations and personal motives. In a nearly orchestrated action, Hitler had not only Röhm killed but also numerous leaders of the SA and some of their prominent political opponents.Under the pretext of preventing an alleged conspiracy by Röhm, the brutally executed action quickly became a reality. The SS, which ruthlessly turned against the SA, played a decisive role in carrying out the murders. The massive killings that night not only resulted in Röhm and his followers being irrevocably removed from the political scene, but they also created an atmosphere of fear and terror throughout the Nazi movement. The "Night of the Long Knives" became a symbolic turning point that manifested Hitler's absolute control over the party hierarchy and the state's security apparatus. The impact on the SA was devastating. The loss of Röhm's charismatic leadership, combined with a dramatic decline in resources and influence, led to the decapitation of the organization. The SA, which had functioned as a paramilitary force for decades, was increasingly disarmed and marginalized.The remaining members were faced from then on with a regime that made clear statements about loyalty and rigorously punished any deviation from the line. Furthermore, the "Night of the Long Knives" was also a turning point in terms of the relationship between the NSDAP and the Reichswehr. The Reichswehr was signaled through the assassinations and the associated elimination of Röhm that its concerns about the SA and its claims to power were taken seriously. This allowed Hitler to gain the military's trust and solidify its support for his later territorial and military ambitions. In summary, it can be said that the "Night of the Long Knives" not only represented a brutal end for Röhm and the SA but also set the course for the future political landscape of the Nazi dictatorship. The elimination of Röhm and his followers was a clear sign of the consolidation of Hitler's power and the ruthless manner in which he eliminated potential rivals.The night left a legacy of violence and political repression that further solidified the foundations of the Third Reich and legitimized the brutal measures of the regime.
The death of Ernst Röhm in the so-called "Night of the Long Knives" in June 1934 was not only the end of a charismatic and controversial figure within the NSDAP, but also a decisive turning point in the consolidation of Nazi rule and state repression in Germany. In the period following the Nazis' rise to power in 1933, Röhm, as the leader of the Sturmabteilung (SA), was a central figure whose influence and visions were in conflict with the emerging structures of the NSDAP and the military elites. His violent death symbolized not only the elimination of a power rival but also the consolidation of Adolf Hitler's control over the Nazi regime. The "Night of the Long Knives" was the result of a complex power struggle within the NSDAP, marked by internal tensions and power struggles. Röhm had pursued an aggressive policy of expanding the SA, which aimed not only at political dissent but also at establishing the SA as a significant military force. This increasingly conflicted with the interests of the Reichswehr and the SS. Hitler's decision to liquidate Röhm and his followers represented a clear step to secure control over the NSDAP and to crush any resistance within his own ranks.Röhm embodied a kind of revolutionary spirit that opposed Hitler's authoritarian leadership style and his pursuit of stability and order. With Röhm's death, the SA was brutally disempowered, consolidating Hitler's power base and strengthening the prevailing order in Nazi Germany. The SA, which had once functioned as a paramilitary organization, was systematically weakened, and its former dominance over violent action against political dissent was now taken over by the SS, which established itself as the new elite of the Nazi apparatus. This reorganization led to a strengthened and central role of the SS under Heinrich Himmler, which not only dealt with controlling intra-party rivals but also with the implementation of terror and repression against political opponents deemed to be a threat to the regime. Röhm's death also marked a decisive turning point in state repression, as it enabled the Nazis to solidify an atmosphere of fear and suppression. In the weeks and months following the "Night of the Long Knives," numerous repressions and arrests took place, aimed at suppressing any dissent within the party and society in general.Terror was used as a political strategy to stifle any forms of opposition in their infancy and to push the population into a permanent state of obedience. Hitler's regime also used Röhm's death propagandistically to demonstrate that he did not hesitate to eliminate even his closest allies if they posed a threat to national unity and the survival of the state. This display of power served to secure the loyalty of the Reichswehr, the SS, and the party, while simultaneously keeping society in a constant state of fear of the brutal repressive apparatus. Moreover, Röhm's death led to a massive transformation in the dynamics of Nazi rule. With the SS as a new force within the security apparatus, the rule of the Third Reich was now not only reliant on terror and fear but also on a tighter and more efficient control over society. The brutal methods employed during the “Night of Long Knives” established a norm of political violence that would henceforth become the hallmark of Nazi rule.In summary, the death of Ernst Röhm during the "Night of the Long Knives" was seen as a turning point in the consolidation of Nazi rule, as it set the stage for a new era of state repression. His violent demise and the subsequent elimination of the SA enabled Adolf Hitler to establish a centralized and authoritarian control over the NSDAP and the entire Nazi regime. The repercussions of these events led to a repressive climate that shaped Nazi Germany and laid the groundwork for the future exercise of power and violence in the dictatorship. The terror of the night sent a clear message: the price for political ambitions or opposition to the regime was potentially fatal, and this terror subsequently became an integral part of Nazi politics.
Ernst Röhm is regarded as one of the most tragic figures in the early history of National Socialism. At a time when the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) began to solidify its power base in Germany, Röhm played a central role in this rise. As the leader of the Sturmabteilung (SA), he was a charismatic personality who exerted enormous influence over the movement.His life path, shaped by ambitions and the pursuit of social revolution, ended brutally when he was eliminated by his own party. This development sheds light on the internal conflicts and power struggles that existed within the NSDAP and ultimately led to the systematization of Nazi rule. Röhm, born in 1887, was not only a close confidant of Adolf Hitler but also a chief architect of the SA, which operated as the paramilitary organization of the NSDAP in the early 1930s. The SA played a significant role in the Nazis' rise to power, employing militant and aggressive tactics to intimidate political opponents and control the streets of Germany. Röhm lived an aggressive, almost revolutionary ideology aimed at creating a new social order. However, this led to tensions with other power structures, particularly with the Reichswehr, which saw Röhm as a threat.In the period leading up to his assassination, Röhm sought to initiate a "second revolutionary wave" that would not only advance socialist agitation within the NSDAP but also challenge the hegemony of the Reichswehr and the bourgeois elites. However, these ambitions faced resistance and power struggles that deviated from Hitler's original vision. Hitler's pragmatic policy of securing his rule ultimately led him to decide to neutralize Röhm in order to maintain control over the party and the state. The elimination of Röhm during the "Night of the Long Knives" in June 1934 was the result of this political rivalry and illustrates the betrayal faced by even supposed allies within the NSDAP. Röhm was seen as an obstacle to the consolidation of Nazi rule, and his brutal murder is symbolic of the violent power struggles within the party that were taking place at that time. The tragedy of Röhm is evidenced not only in his violent death but also in his misinterpretation of the Nazi agenda.He was a man who fought with the belief in a revolutionary change in the political and social structures of Germany, yet ultimately he was betrayed by the very forces for which he fought. Hitler's regime demonstrated not only absolute control with the elimination of Röhm and his followers but also a clear message to all others within the party: any resistance or ambitions that went beyond the set line would be brutally punished. Röhm thus remains a tragic figure, remembered in the history of National Socialism as both a fighter for a socialist vision and a victim of his own political machinations. He embodies the idea that power is often gained or lost through betrayal and intrigue. His fate vividly illustrates the paradoxes of political life under the Nazi regime, where even the closest confidants, who once played a key role in establishing the regime, could become victims of brutal power exertion at any moment. His death stands not only as a symbol of his own tragic story but also embodies the end of a specific vision within the NSDAP and the beginning of an era where other forces within the party – particularly the SS under Heinrich Himmler – gained the upper hand. Röhm's legacy is complicated: while he was regarded as a hero of the early Nazi movement, he ultimately came to be seen as a threat and was eliminated by those elements of the movement he had supported. His life and death are therefore a memorial to the internal contradictions that characterized National Socialism from the very beginning.
