the reichstag fire 27th feb 1933

Question 1

when was the reichstag fire?

Answer 1

25th Feb 1933

Question 2

who was accused of starting the fire and found guilty and sentenced to death?

Answer 2

Marinus van der Lubbe

Question 3

why was Marinus van der Lubbe blamed for the fire?

Answer 3

he was a dutch council communist making a good person to blame as he was a known communist and Hitler viewed the communists as a global threat to Germany.

Question 4

Hitler used the fire to persuade Hindenburg to do what?

Answer 4

to declare Germany was in a state of emergence to use Article 48 to pass the Fire Decrees.

Question 5

what powers did the fire decrees give the Nazis?

Answer 5

Powers to:
- arrest individuals without trial
- censor post and telephone calls
- restrict freedom of assembly and expression

Question 6

how many communists were arrested because of the fire decree?

Answer 6

4,000

Question 7

the fire decrees where temporary to remove the threat of communism how long were they supposed to last?

Answer 7

4 years but they were never repealed and remained in force throughout the Nazi years in power.