On the Night of the Long Knives, which took place from June 30 to July 2, 1934, Adolf Hitler ordered a series of political extrajudicial executions to eliminate potential rivals within the Nazi Party, particularly targeting the SA leadership. This purge was crucial for consolidating Hitler's power and securing the loyalty of the German military, the Reichswehr, which had grown wary of the SA's influence. The event marked a significant turning point in Nazi Germany, as it established a climate of fear and absolute control, paving the way for Hitler's dictatorship.

The Night of the Long Knives not only highlighted internal terror but also inspired poets like Bertolt Brecht and others in exile to explore themes of betrayal and the moral complexities of dictatorship. This event influenced resistance poetry that sought to articulate the struggles against oppressive regimes.