Essay Planning: The Night of the Long Knives

History
GCSE / Grade 8 / Year 9
8 questions
~16 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

A worksheet designed to help students plan an essay on the Night of the Long Knives, focusing on understanding Nazi consolidation of power and the methods used by Hitler.

Worksheet Preview

Full preview • 8 questions

Essay Planning: The Night of the Long Knives

Subject: HistoryGrade: GCSE / Grade 8 / Year 9
Name:
Date:
TeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizzTeachWhizz

Untitled Worksheet

Grade GCSE / Grade 8 / Year 9
A

Essay Planning: The Night of the Long Knives

Essay Question:

How did the Night of the Long Knives help Hitler to strengthen his control over Germany?

Introduction: Thesis statement

  • Outline the importance of the event in Nazi consolidation of power.

Point 1: Hitler’s motives for the purge (Evidence and explanation)

  • Explain how Hitler aimed to eliminate threats within the Nazi Party.
  • Reference the role of the SA and Ernst Röhm.

Point 2: The reaction of the German public and military (Evidence and explanation)

  • Outline how the event reassured the army and conservative politicians.
  • Discuss the propaganda used to justify the purge.

Counter-argument: Limitations of the event’s impact

  • Consider whether the purge was purely for consolidating power or also for eliminating genuine threats.
  • Mention any criticisms or opposition that remained.

Conclusion: Summary and evaluation

  • Summarise how the Night of the Long Knives was a turning point.
  • State whether it was primarily a strategic move or a display of brutal power.

Questions to plan your essay:

1.
What was the purpose of the introduction in your essay plan?
[2 marks]
2.
Explain the main motives behind Hitler's decision to carry out the purge. Include specific evidence.
[4 marks]
3.
Compare the reactions of the German military and the general public to the event.
[3 marks]
4.
Outline the criticisms or limitations of the Night of the Long Knives as a means of consolidating power.
[3 marks]
5.
Summarise how the Night of the Long Knives helped Hitler to strengthen his control over Germany.
[2 marks]
6.
Analyse how the event affected Hitler's relationship with the SA and the German military.
[4 marks]
7.
Compare the reasons given by supporters and critics for the Night of the Long Knives.
[3 marks]
8.
Explain the significance of the Night of the Long Knives in the context of Nazi Germany.
[3 marks]

Quick Actions

What is Remix?

Create a new worksheet based on this one. Change the grade level, topic, number of questions, or difficulty - then generate a fresh version.

  • • Change grade level (Grade 6 → Grade 7)
  • • Swap topics (Harry Potter → Macbeth)
  • • Add more questions (10 → 15)
  • • Adjust difficulty

Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet