Western Civilization II / Unit 16 WC2 1520 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The SS, the Gestapo, and the Night of the Long Knives
Captions available
The idea
The SS held "protective custody" without trial; the Gestapo, part of it, dispatched violence. In June nineteen thirty-four Hitler had the SA's leaders murdered, the Night of the Long Knives, winning the army; on Hindenburg's death he became Führer. Incentives plus threats explain the absence of resistance.
In practice
The army swore its oath to Hitler.
Where people slip
Witness-built; the anchor has SS and Gestapo only.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it