Reichstag Fire Flashcards
How long after Hitler came to power did the Reichstag Fire occur?
Less than a month
On what date did the Reichstag Fire occur?
27 February 1933
Who was found at the site of the fire?
Marinus van der Lubbe
What was Marinus van der Lubbe?
A Dutch Communist
How did Hitler exploit the Reichstag Fire?
He claimed there was a Communist conspiracy to overthrow the government and asked Hindenburg to give him emergency powers using Article 48.
What were these powers Hindenburg gave Hitler known as?
The Reichstag Fire Decree
What did the Reichstag Fire Decree allow Hitler to do?
Suspend the freedoms of the constitution (e.g. freedom of speech, assembly, right to fair trial). In particular, it allowed Hitler to imprison opponents of the regime - in particular Communists (KPD)
When was the Reichstag Fire Decree passed?
28 February 1933 - the morning after the Reichstag Fire
What key event occurred shortly after the Reichstag Fire?
The 5 March Elections
On what date did the March elections occur?
5 March
Who was allowed to campaign for the March elections?
Only the Nazi Party - all other parties were banned from campaigning
On polling day, who were present at polling stations?
Uniformed Nazis, watching the votes being cast
What percentage of the vote did the Nazi Party win in the March elections?
44%
How did Hitler manage to gain a majority after the March elections?
The Nazis formed a coalition with the German National People’s Party who had won 8% of vote
What percentage of the vote did the German National People’s Party win?
8%
