The Reichstag fire, 1933

• When did the Reichstag fire take place

  27th of February, 1933
• Who was the main suspect

  A Dutch communist, Von Der Lubbe, he was 24 years old
• Who does Hitler blame the fire on and what does he do after

  He blamed the fire on all of the Communists and he used it as an excuse to arrest thousands of his Communist enemies
• What did he want to do to all Communists

  He wanted to kill all high-up Communists and arrest every supporter of Communists, this could be to get rid of Communist competition in the Reichstag
• What was the name of the new law that came about after the Reichstag fire

  'The Decree for the Protection of People and the State', or the Reichstag fire law
• Why did the Nazis say that the Reichstag fire law was needed

  Because it was essential if Germany is to survive the threat posed by the communists
• What did the Reichstag fire law include

  Take away freedom of speech

  take away the freedom for newspapers to publish what they wanted

  Allowed the government to listen to phone calls and open private letters

  Banned all political meetings
• Why would the Reichstag fire law benefit the Nazis

  Because they were able to control free speech and press freedoms