Reuchstag Fure

Question 1

Why was Hitler in a bad position before the fire?

Answer 1

• When he became Chancellor. Only 2 Nazis were in cabinet if 12
• His position was weak as the Nazis and his allies didn’t have a majority in the Reichstag
• Hindenburg detested him

Question 2

What did Hitler do to increase number of Nazis in cabinet?

Answer 2

Called for an election on 5th March 1933, hoping he would gain a clear majority. If he could control parliament, he could make laws needed to increase his power over Germany

Question 3

When did the Reichstag building set fire?

Answer 3

1 week before the election, 27th Feb 1933

Question 4

Who was to blame for the fire?

Answer 4

Nazis arrested Marinus van der Lubbe - Hitler and Goebbels saw this as an opportunity to claim communists were to stage a takeover

Question 5

What did Hitler do next?

Answer 5

Persuaded Hindenburg to sign ‘Decree for the Protection of People and State. This suspended basic civil rights + allowed Nazis to imprison large numbers of political opponents

Question 6

What were the results of the 1933 election?

Answer 6

• Nazis won 288 seats. Despite imprisoning many political opponents + having media control, they didn’t win the majority
• So a coalition government formed with the National party

Question 7

What did Hitler decided to do after the 1933 election?

Answer 7

• Perusaeded Hindenburg to pass the Enabling an act in 23rd March 1933. This allowed him + his government power for the next 4 years. This marked the end of the Weimar Constitution

Question 8

Name some reasons on hiw Hitler secured votes for the passing of the Enabling Act:

Answer 8

• Nazis promised to protect Catholic Centre Party for their vote
• Communist Party wasn’t counted, reducing the number of votes needed by the Nazis

Question 9

What Could Hitler do with the Enabling Act?

Answer 9

Bring German society into a Nazi philosophy (Gleichschaltung), and the Nazis could control + monitor the whole of Germany

Question 10

What did Hitler do to trade unions after the Enabling Act?

Answer 10

2nd May 1933 = all trade unions banned. The DAF replaced them + employers groups

Question 11

What did Hitler do to Political Parties after the Enabling Act?

Answer 11

10th May, KOD had it’s headquarters, newspapers + property seized. Remaining partied disbanded themselves. July 14th = Law against the Formation of parties passed. Made Nazis the sole legal party in Germany