blood purge

noun

1. the mass execution, especially by a government, of persons considered guilty of treason or sedition.

Word History and Origins

Origin of blood purge¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

In 1934, Adolf Hitler launched his “blood purge” of political and military rivals in Germany in what came to be known as “The Night of the Long Knives.”

From Washington Times

Following the recent work of Rainer Orth, Hett says that the Night of the Long Knives, the blood purge of June 1934, was directed mainly against these right-wing opponents.

From New York Times

The picture's theme is the rise of Na tional Socialism from the gutter to the June 1934 Blood Purge.

From Time Magazine Archive

During Hitler's Blood Purge, Rundstedt said nothing when the Nazis murdered Schleicher and his wife, disposed of Roehm and those who thought the Army should knuckle under to the Storm Troopers.

From Time Magazine Archive

Eldest of a hot-headed trio of born troublemakers, Jos� Antonio Primo de Rivera was closeted with Adolf Hitler shortly before Germany's 1934 Blood Purge, returned to Spain in time to lead his blue-shirted pistoleros against Spain's October 1934 Revolution of the Left.

From Time Magazine Archive