Historian A: Richard Evans – Political Perspective

"Richard Evans argues that the Night of Long Knives was primarily a strategic move by Hitler to eliminate potential rivals within the Nazi Party and consolidate his power. He emphasizes the importance of internal political control and portrays the event as a calculated act to secure Hitler’s dictatorship. Evans views this purge as a turning point where Hitler demonstrated his ruthless approach to maintaining authority, which was crucial for the stability of Nazi rule. He suggests that Hitler’s actions, while brutal, were necessary for the survival of the Nazi regime in the face of internal threats."

Historian B: Jane Miller – Social Perspective

"Jane Miller sees the Night of Long Knives as a reflection of the violent and oppressive nature of Nazi society. She highlights how the event was used to instill fear among the general population and eliminate social dissent. Miller argues that the purge was not just a political strategy but also part of the broader social control tactics that shaped Nazi Germany into a brutal, authoritarian state. She emphasizes the role of violence in reinforcing Nazi ideology and maintaining social order through fear."