Reichstag Fire (February 1933) Flashcards

On what date and where did the Reichstag Fire happen?

27 February 1933. The Reichstag (German parliament) building in Berlin caught fire.

Who was found at the scene and what was his political belief?

Marinus van der Lubbe, a Dutch Communist.

How did the Nazis present the fire to the public?

They said it was the start of a Communist plot and used it to spread fear.

What emergency law was issued the day after the fire?

The Reichstag Fire Decree. Its full name was the Decree for the Protection of the People and the State.

Who signed the Reichstag Fire Decree?

President Paul von Hindenburg, at Hitler’s request.

Which rights did the decree suspend?

Freedoms of speech, press, and assembly. Police could search homes, intercept post and phone calls, and hold people without trial.

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About how many Communists were arrested right after the fire?

About 4,000 on the night, with thousands more soon after.

Which groups were targeted under the decree?

Mainly Communists (KPD), but also Social Democrats and other critics of the Nazis.

How did the decree affect the March 1933 election campaign?

Nazis could ban meetings, shut rival newspapers, and jail opponents, so the opposition was weaker.

What happened to Marinus van der Lubbe after his trial?

He was found guilty of arson and was executed in 1934.

Was a wider Communist plot ever proven in court?

No. Other suspects were found not guilty, and only van der Lubbe was convicted.

Why was the Reichstag Fire important for Hitler’s rise to power?

It gave an excuse to end civil rights and crush opponents, helping Hitler tighten control and pass the Enabling Act in March 1933.

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