Gregor Strasser
1892-1934
- Participated in the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch
- Struggled for power within the NSDAP in 1932
- Murdered upon Hitler’s instructions in 1934
After having served in the war, Gregor Strasser joined the Epp Freikorps, which was involved in putting down the Munich councils’ republic movement. In 1921, he joined the NSDAP and helped with the 1923 Beer Hall Putsch. He represented leftist, anti-capitalist views within the national socialist movement. After the NSDAP was re-founded in 1925, he quickly climbed its career ladder, all the way to becoming leader of its national organization. This made him a dangerous rival for Hitler. Yet in 1932, Gregor Strasser stepped down. But this did not keep him from being murdered on 30 June 1934 during the Night of the Long Knives purge.