Reichstag Fire 1933

• The Fire

  • On 27 February 1933 The Reichstag building (German Parliament) was burned down.
  • Communists were blamed for the fire and a 24 year old Dutchman, called Marius Van der Lubbe, was found by the burning building with matches.
  • Van der Lubbe was beheaded.
• Impact (1)

  • The Reichstag fire gave Hitler an excuse to expel communist politicians from the Parliament.
  • Within hours, approximately 4,000 communists were arrested.
  • Hindenburg was encouraged to pass Article 48 (law to allow the President to rule Germany himself in an emergency).
  • Newspapers were censored and phone calls could be checked.
• Impact (2)

  • People were encouraged to vote for the Nazis and anti-communist propaganda spread quickly.
  • The Reichstag fire put Hitler in a very strong position. Many historians believe that The Nazis started the fire themselves to increase support and blame the communists.
  • The Nazis won the March 1933 election with 5 million more votes than previously.
  • 5 March 1933 - Nazis win the election