Röhm affair

The Röhm affair, also known as the Night of the Long Knives, was a purge that took place in Nazi Germany from June 30 to July 2, 1934. Adolf Hitler, fearing the growing power and radical ambitions of Ernst Röhm, the leader of the SA (Sturmabteilung, or Brownshirts), ordered the execution of Röhm and dozens of other SA leaders.123

The SA was a paramilitary organization that played a key role in Hitler's rise to power through intimidation and violence. However, Röhm envisioned the SA absorbing the regular army and initiating a "second revolution" with socialist aims, which conflicted with Hitler's desire for stability and support from the army and industrialists.324

With the help of Heinrich Himmler and Hermann Göring, Hitler orchestrated the purge, eliminating potential rivals and consolidating his authority. This event significantly reduced the SA's power and paved the way for Hitler to merge the offices of president and chancellor, becoming the Führer.124