Nagenuits

Nagenuits, also known as the "Night of the Long Knives," was a series of political purges carried out by the Nazi Party in Germany during the night of June 30, 1934. The event was named after the German phrase "Nacht der langen Messer," which translates to "night of the long knives." The purges were orchestrated by Adolf Hitler and his inner circle, including Hermann Göring, to eliminate political rivals and consolidate power within the Nazi Party.

The purge targeted high-ranking SA (Sturmabteilung) leaders, who were seen as a threat to Hitler's authority. The SA was a paramilitary organization that had grown in power and influence, challenging the control of the Nazi Party. The night of the long knives resulted in the deaths of approximately 85 high-ranking SA members, including Ernst Röhm, the leader of the SA.

The purge was marked by a wave of violence and executions. Hitler personally oversaw the operations, and the SA members were arrested, interrogated, and executed in mass graves. The event sent a clear message to other potential rivals within the Nazi Party, reinforcing Hitler's absolute control over the regime.

The night of the long knives had significant implications for the future of Nazi Germany. It marked the beginning of a period of increased repression and consolidation of power, setting the stage for the eventual outbreak of World War II. The purge also led to a power struggle between the SA and the SS (Schutzstaffel), with the SS emerging as the dominant paramilitary force under the leadership of Heinrich Himmler.