The Reichstag Fire

• What action did Hitler take after becoming Chancellor?

  He called for new elections to try to get a majority.
• What significant event occurred on 27 February, a week before the elections?

  The Reichstag building was destroyed by a fire.
• Who was blamed for the Reichstag fire?


  Marinus Van der Lubbe, a Dutch Communist.
• What was the outcome for Marinus Van der Lubbe after being blamed for the fire?

  He was quickly put on trial, found guilty, and executed.
• How did Hitler and Goering use the Reichstag fire to their advantage?

  They claimed it was the beginning of a wider Communist plot.
• What action did President Hindenburg take on 28 February?

  He declared a state of emergency, allowing Hitler to rule by decree.
• What powers did Hitler gain from the state of emergency declaration?

  He gained temporary emergency powers to issue decrees.
• What was the purpose of the Decree for the Protection of the People and the State?

  It allowed Hitler to imprison political opponents and ban Communist newspapers.
• What was the result of the election on 5 March?

  The Nazis increased their share of the vote to 43%.
• What happened to the 81 Communists elected in the March election?

  They were banned from attending Parliament.
• How did Hitler achieve majority support in the Reichstag after the elections?

  With Nationalist support, he gained majority support.
• 1.After becoming Chancellor Hitler called for new elections to try to get a majority.
• 2. On 27 February, a week before the elections were due to take place, the Reichstag building was destroyed by a fire.
• 3. The Nazis blamed Marinus Van der Lubbe, a Dutch Communist who was quickly put on trial and found guilty and executed.
• 4. Hitler and Goering, his new Chief of Police, claimed this was the beginning of a wider Communist plot and President Hindenburg was persuaded to declare a state of emergency on 28 February, allowing him to rule by decree.
• 5. Hitler used the temporary emergency powers to issue the Decree for the Protection of the People and the State, which allowed him to imprison political opponents, particularly Communists and ban Communist newspapers.
• 6. The election on 5 March resulted in the Nazis increasing their share of the vote to 43%. The 81 Communists elected were banned from attending Parliament so, with Nationalist support, Hitler now had majority support in the Reichstag.