After the purge, on 13 July 1934, Hitler addressed the Reichstag and made a speech explaining that this purge was used against individuals who threatened the existence of Germany. In his speech he declared that he used this violence “to prevent a revolution”. The Night of the Long Knives helped Hitler secure his control over Germany because it made sure every living German obeyed Hitler’s orders and was pro-Nazi. Consequently, the Night of the Long Knives increased Hitler’s chances of gaining total control over Germany because it eliminated everyone that was a ‘threat’ to him.