Summary 6 - The Reichstag Fire - 27th February 1933 Flashcards
Why did Hitler persuade Hindenburg to call an election?
He thought the Nazis could win an outright majority.
The terror campaign against which two parties intensified?
The terror campaign intensified against the SPD and the KPD.
Which major building was set on fire?
The Reichstag was set on fire.
Who was arrested after the Reichstag fire?
A Dutch communist named van der Lubbe was arrested
Was van der Lubbe responsible for the Reichstag fire?
There is conflicting evidence as to whether van der Lubbe was responsible for the fire or whether he was set up by the Nazis.
How did the Nazis use the fire for their own political gain?
The event was used by the Nazis to claim there was a communist threat to Germany and so justify the suspension of civil liberties.
The fire led to the implementation of which decree?
The Decree for the Protection of the People and the State
Who issued The Decree for the Protection of the People and the State?
Hindenburg implemented The Decree for the Protection of the People and the State.
Why did Hindenburg issue The Decree for the Protection of the People and the State?
Hindenburg issued The Decree for the Protection of the People and the State as Hitler demanded emergency powers to deal with the crisis?
What was the impact of The Decree for the Protection of the People and the State?
The Decree increased the powers of the police to deal with any threat to national security, it allowed censorship. In practise the powers were used to arrest socialists and communists, ban their newspapers and disrupt their organisations in the run up to the March election.
How many communists were arrested in a two week period after Hindenburg issued the Decree for the Protection of the People and the State?
10,000
