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About this quote

What does it mean?
Roehm believed his closeness to Hitler would protect him, but his homosexuality gave enemies a pretext to turn Hitler against him, leading to his death.
In plain terms
He thought personal ties would shield him, but his sexuality was used against him.
What can you take from it?
Personal traits can be exploited politically.

Where it applies

  • historical biography
  • political intrigue

Putting it to work

  • consider personal risks in power structures

Questions to consider

  • How much did personal loyalty matter?
  • What other factors led to his downfall?

Another view

The causal link may oversimplify complex political motives.

More from Ernst Roehm

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  2. I point out to the Fuhrer at length that in 1934 we unfortunately failed to reform the Wehrmacht when we had an opportunity of doing so. What Roehm wanted was,…

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  3. People rose up on the chairs and were embraced, many cried out of joy and emotion. Finally! It was the exclamation of relief that exited from the mouths of all.

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