The Reichstag Fire

When did the Reichstag fire take place?

The fire occurred on the [blank_start]27th[blank_end] of [blank_start]February[blank_end] [blank_start]1933[blank_end]. The [blank_start]Reichstag[blank_end] building was destroyed. [blank_start]Marinus van der Lubbe[blank_end] was caught on the scene with firelighters and matches. He worked [blank_start]alone[blank_end]. He was [blank_start]foung[blank_end] [blank_start]guilty[blank_end] and executed.

Hermann Georing was a new head of police, and despised Hitler, having more socialist views and not approving of Hitler's policies.

Hitler and [blank_start]Hermann Goering[blank_end] used the fire to attack the [blank_start]communists[blank_end].

How many communists were killed that night?

The next day, Hitler used the fire to pressure [blank_start]Hindenburg[blank_end] into declaring a state of [blank_start]emergency[blank_end]. By doing so, if Hindenburg carried on supporting him, Hitler could use the decrees to [blank_start]govern[blank_end] Germany. Next, Hitler persuaded Hindenburg to call an [blank_start]election[blank_end] for [blank_start]5th[blank_end] March 1933, hoping for more [blank_start]seats[blank_end] in the Reichstag.

There was absolutely nothing unconstitutional about what Hitler was doing.

Before the elections, Hitler: - Issued the [blank_start]Decree[blank_end] for the Protection of the [blank_start]People[blank_end] and the [blank_start]state[blank_end]. This gave him powers to [blank_start]imprion[blank_end] political opponents and ban communist [blank_start]newspapers[blank_end].

Before the election, Hitler: - insured that the police force turn a blind eye to the violent actions of the [blank_start]SA[blank_end] because he [blank_start]controlled[blank_end] them. - convinced [blank_start]industrialists[blank_end] to bankroll the campaign such as [blank_start]Gustav[blank_end] Krupp. [blank_start]3[blank_end] million marks were donated in one meeting.

How many people died during the bloody campaign?

When the results were announced, the Nazi's had: - [blank_start]increased[blank_end] their seat number to [blank_start]288[blank_end]. - [blank_start]banned[blank_end] the communist party from taking up 81 seats. - a two [blank_start]thirds[blank_end] [blank_start]majority[blank_end] in the Reichstag.

After the election, Hitler still did not have the power to change the constitution of the republic, since Hindenburg was still in power.